DOMINION MINISTERS.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 60, Issue 28, 13 November 1939, Page 5

DOMINION MINISTERS.

VISIT TO HEADQUARTERS. AIR raid WARNING in PARIS. (Received This Day, 10.5 a.m.) LONDON, November 12. The correspondent of the Australian Associated Press with the British Ex peditionary Force in France says that Mr Peter Fraser and Mr C. It. Casey (Australia) and other Dominion Ministers explained to Viscount Gort (British Commander-in-Chief) yesterday, the steps -the Dominion Governments are taking to strengthen the British forces on the Western Front. Lord Gort and his chief of staff (General Pownall) and Air Vice-Marshal Blount described the strategical situation as seen through British eyes. On their arrival at the headquarteis Lord Gort was awaiting the Ministers on the steps. The Secretary of State for the Dominions (Mr It. A. Eden) introduced the visitors. It cannot bo disclosed what the Ministers revealed to Lord Gort, Major-General the Duke of Gloucester and members of the stall during the informal armchair talk. Mr Fraser spoke of the importance of Singapore for the defence of the Pacific.

General Pownall lucidly explained the possibilities of an attack on the Allied line, leaving no doubt that the Allies will be well able to deal with it.

The five Dominion _ Ministers left Paris early in the morning, driving through the heaviest rain since the British Expeditionary Force arrived in France, for a tour across the old Rriish battlefields.

Their sleep was interrupted early this morning by a wailing air raid warning. The Dominion Ministers decided that the chances of the Hotel Chillion being hit were remote; nevertheless they went to a shelter. A convoy of cars proceeding to the British headquarters did not stop during the air raid alarm. The Dominion delegates to-day visit the first and second army corps in the front line. Mr Fraser had a long conversation with M. Joujoux (leader of the French Labour Movement), also M. Blum, on Friday. They decided that the Trade Union movement must stand behind the Allied cause. Trade Unions are always ready to declare /for peace at any suitable time but Hitlerism stands in the way,” said Mr Fraser.