Editing Michael Joseph Savage (section)

====Second World War====
Savage led the country into the Second World War, officially declaring war on [[Nazi Germany]] on 3 September 1939, just hours after Britain.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nzhistory.net.nz/war/second-world-war/fighting-for-britain|title=Fighting for Britain – NZ and the Second World War|publisher=[[Ministry for Culture and Heritage (New Zealand)|Ministry for Culture and Heritage]]|date=2 September 2008}}</ref> Unlike Australia, which felt obligated to declare war, as it also had not ratified the [[Statute of Westminster 1931|Statute of Westminster]],{{clarify|date=July 2021}} New Zealand did so as a sign of allegiance to Britain, and in recognition of Britain's abandoning its former [[Appeasement of Hitler|appeasement]] of the dictators, a policy that New Zealand had opposed. This led to Prime Minister Savage declaring (from his sick bed) two days later:<ref>{{cite web |title=Prime minister declares New Zealand's support for Britain |url=https://nzhistory.govt.nz/pm-declares-new-zealands-support-for-britain-in-famous-radio-broadcast |website=nzhistory.govt.nz |publisher=New Zealand History |access-date=20 August 2024}}</ref>

{{blockquote|Both with gratitude for the past and confidence in the future, we range ourselves without fear beside Britain. Where she goes, we go. Where she stands, we stand. We are only a small and young nation, but we are one and all a band of brothers and we march forward with union of hearts and wills to a common destiny.}}