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September 4, 1939

Parliament Condemns Germany's Invasion of Poland
Motion Stops Short of Declaring War; Government to Step up Military, Agricultural Production

BRAELAND CITY, September 4 (BP) – With Spring Training currently in full-swing in the United Leagues, attention instead was turned to the nation's capital today, as Parliament formally condemned Germany’s invasion of Poland. But unlike its South Pacific neighbours, Australia and New Zealand, Braeland stopped short of declaring a state of war between Germany and itself.

The motion is seen as significant, however; not so much as a statement in of itself, but as a signal that Braeland will not take its international leadings from Great Britain. Unlike Australia and New Zealand, Braeland is not a member of the Commonwealth, and ever since it regained independence from Great Britain in 1884, it has endeavored to strike a balance in its relations with Britain. The government has also striven to strike a balance with the current mood in Braeland, which is decidedly opposed to entering the European conflict, particularly since the country is still recovering from its own recent upheavals.

Nevertheless, Prime Minister Avery’s government was adamant that Braeland should not declare itself neutral, in the face of the brazen invasion of Poland. “The actions of the present German Government are completely incompatible to justice and international law,” Avery declared in addressing the Lower House. “We cannot stand idle while fascism threatens to overrun world peace. As a nation, we must stand for our Allies and do our part.”

The Prime Minister then outlined just what ‘doing our part’ will entail: the stepping up of munition production at the Fort Richmond Armory, as well as at the Queensland’s Iron Works. Such production of materiel will go into supporting Great Britain’s war effort on a lend-lease basis. Prime Minister Avery also announced that agriculture will be expanded, with the goal of suppling meat, butter and wool to Britain. Such efforts will be in keeping with the actions of the New Zealand Government, although New Zealand has gone further by formally declaring war and pledged armed forces to fight alongside British forces.

The Avery Government also cautioned that while life in Braeland is to carry on as usual, Braelanders should prepare themselves for further sacrifices should world events escalate. When asked later to clarify what was meant by that statement, Deputy Prime Minister Donald Perry added that the country may have to face rationing as well as price controls should the ‘storm clouds of war’ draw closer to the country.

“As a government, we are currently looking at the long-range view and what an extended conflict would mean to the country and to our economy”, Mr. Perry explained. “We have seen from the appeasement process that Germany’s word is not to be taken at face value. And with the Sino-Japanese conflict continuing unabated, the European conflict is not the only international conflict that Braeland needs to be concerned about.”

The motion calling for the condemnation of Germany’s invasion was overwhelming passed in the House. The Government stated that coordination of Braeland’s response to the crisis will be overseen by both the Ministry of Supply and Munitions and the Department of Agriculture and Forestry.