Ashburton Guardian Magna est Veritas et Prævalebit THURSDAY, MAY 22, 1941. MR FRASER'S ACTIVITIES.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 61, Issue 187, 22 May 1941, Page 4

Ashburton Guardian Magna est Veritas et Prævalebit THURSDAY, MAY 22, 1941. MR FRASER'S ACTIVITIES.

Naturally, with so many New Zealanders serving in Egypt, popular interest in Mr Fraser’s tour so far has centred on his visits to the various camps, hospitals and soldiers’ clubs in that country, to the obscuring of the other, and, in some respects more important, features of his journey. Primarily Mr Fraser left New Zealand to confer with the authorities in Britain on matters connected with the prosecution of the war, more especially in relation to this Dominion’s share in the common effort to ensure a decisive victory that will put an end to Nazi aggression. That part of his important mission has yet to be performed, but with the knowledge of what Mr Fraser did on his last visit to London, there is no doubt he will acquit himself with credit and to the advantage of the Empire’s war policy. In spite of the speed of his journey the Prime Minister has, however, performed useful and important duties en route. His discussions in Sydney with members of the Australian War Cabinet are likely to have proved most timely, mofe especially as one of his Ministers, Mr Semple, is now in the Commonwealth to take up some of the points which Mr Fraser raised. It was fortunate, too, that Mr Fraser was able to take part in an exchange of views on Pacific defence problems with the Dutch and British authorities in the Netherlands East Indies and at Singapore, while the opportunity afforded him to study the Empire supply organisation in India should be productive of a more intimate knowledge of the Dominion s responsibilities in this direction. That the journey entails some risk in these days cannot be denied, but in the present case danger came from a quarter not anticipated when he departed. His anxiety to see for himself how New Zealand troops are faring after their gallant fighting in Greece induced him to take the not inconsiderable risk of flying over Iraq on the last stage of his journey to Egypt. Thus he came under enemy fire. The interest that is felt in his doings in Egypt and in his future actions and words in Britain will be mingled with gratification that he has met with nothing of more serious result than a thrilling experience.