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Mair Appeals
To People
For Calm
"VT7AK finds lis undismayed, because ill the last few days
it has seemed inevitable, and our minds have been
prepared for it." — The Premier, Mr. Mair.
He appealed to the public
ui new ooum wuies io Keep
calm and avoid panic.
"Do not listen to alarmist rumors,"
said the Premier.
"Do not suddenly curtail expendi
ture, dismiss employees, or rush to
sell .properties or securities.
"Leave your money in the banks —
it will be all right there.
"Fix your minds on practical tasks,
remembering that we all have a pan
to play In maintaining security, but
that It must be a part In a united
effort for a common cause."
Hoped For Peace
"Right up to tho last moment we
hoped against hope that the efforts
for peace, In which Great Britain
had taken such a magnificent lead,
would be successful.
"But the forces of militancy and
violence have over-ridden the coun
sels of justice and reason, and the
time has come when we must fight or
be for ever humiliated and shamed.
"I believe that every Australian,
man or woman, Is behind tills deci
sion.
"Our task is to defend this coun
try and to give the greatest possible
aid to Great Britain and her Allies.
"No one should under-rate this
task.
May Be Long
'The war may well be long and
victory will not easily be achieved.
"Yet no one should be unnerved
or lose faith.
"The Empire and its Allies have
tremendous armed strength and the
backing of almost limitless resources.
"They have, too, the ooiritual
strength of a Just cause.
"They have not sought war and
they are keeping faith with those
who trusted them.
For Freedom
"They are fighting to uphold the
principles of Individual freedom and
national Integrity.
"That conviction and the will to
see peace triumphant once again
must be our inspiration In the days
ahead.
"From a defence standpoint we are
stronger by far than w- w-re at the
outbreak of the lost <reat war.
"Our man power Is greater and our
Industrial resources are Immeasur
ably superior to what they were then.
Good Headway
"During the past 12 months our
defence preparations have made
good headway.
"Strategically we ore most fortun
ately situated— remote from the main
centres of conflict.
"Our economic position Is funda
mentally sound.
"Industry Is working at a high level
and the financial system is safe.
No Danger
"There Is no shortage of vital sup
plies or any prospect of a shortage.
"Just how we will participate re
mains to be seen.
"There Is no present danger of at-
tack ana u any danger develops in
the future you will receive warning In
good' time.
"All precautionary measures have
been, taken."
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