The Auckland Star: WITH WHICH ARE INCORPORATED The Evening News, Morning News and The Sun. WEDNESDAY, JULY 22, 1942. AUSTRALIA AND NEW ZEALAND

Auckland Star, Volume LXXIII, Issue 171, 22 July 1942, Page 4

The Auckland Star: WITH WHICH ARE INCORPORATED The Evening News, Morning News and The Sun. WEDNESDAY, JULY 22, 1942. AUSTRALIA AND NEW ZEALAND

Prime Minister's visit to Australia at this time is especially welcome to all those who appreciate fully the new and growing responsibilities which war developments have imposed on the CommonWealth and the Dominion. Eight months ago both were playing their part in a conflict that was being waged far from their shores. They had sent abroad substantial forces, for land, sea and air fighting, and they were preparing to send more. They did so partly out of their willing acknowledgment of their duty as members of the British Commonwealth, and partly because of the conviction that as the whole Commonwealth was threatened it was better to defend their own countries afar off than at home, better to fight the common enemy in the Middle Last than on their own soil. Although this policy involved a risk—for the possibility of Japan's entry to the war had been clearly recognised from the beginning—the risk was taken. Experience has shown that the risk was far greater than was realised, for Japan's fighting ability was grossly under-estimated, although not only by Australia and New Zealand. When Japan did strike, and by the shrewdness of her blows gained enormous advantages, both countries were placed in great peril, and it is clear now that if Japan's entry had not been offset by the entry of the United States our position would have been desperate. No less clear Is it that to-day our position would still be desperate if it were not for the presence in the Pacific of strong American naval lorces, and the vast efforts that have been made by the Americans to reinforce us. It Is in these circumstances that Mr. Fraser is conferring with the Australian Government, and it is a significant fact that he is accompanied by the United States Minister to New Zealand and bv other American officials.

Although part of the Australian military force has returned from the Middle bast, the task of defending the Commonwealth is so great that it, could not be adequately discharged without American aid. American recognition of this fact, and of the importance of not allowing Australia to fall, Is to be seen in the fact that the task is now being discharged under the command of General Mac-Arthur, and that under his direction there are American land and air forces as well as Australian. New Zealand has good reascn to be thankful for this remarkable development, no less than for the prese ice in New Zealand of ViceAdmiral Ghormley. If part of the A.I.F. had not returned to Australia and American aid to Australia, as well as to New Zealand, had not arrived, we in this Dominion would feel much less secure to-day. There Is in some quarters a disposition to criticise the action of the Australian Government in securing the return of part of its overseas force, and to point out that the N.Z.E.F. still remains in the Middle East. Such ignorant and invidious comparisons do no good and could be extremely harmful The defence problems of Australia and New Zealand are in a high degree one problem. If either country were directly attacked the other would be gravely imperilled. The increase in the defensive strength of either ihould be a cause of gratification to the other. But neither country is thinking of defensive strength as the one object and Ideal, nor is American aid to both given primarily for the sake of our defence. Both countries are deemed Indispensable as bases for the naval, military and air forces that will eventually take the offensive against Japan. The task of preparation and organisation is immense and exacting. It cannot be successfully carried through without the highest degree cf co-operation between each Dominion and the United States, and between each Dominion. Mr. Eraser's visit should serve to promote that co-operation, and one sign of its success would be an agreement with the Australian Government for an exchange of Ministers. Frcm the point of view of New Zealand, which has a High Commissioner in London and Ministers In both Washington and Ottawa, direct and continuous representation in Canberra is not only necessary, but long overdue.