WAR IN PACIFIC

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 63, Issue 89, 25 January 1943, Page 4

WAR IN PACIFIC

THE LONG-TERM VIEWPOINT.

MANY HOPEFUL FEATURES.

IMMEDIATE TASK STRESSED

(Special Australian Correspondent N.Z.P.A.)

(Rec. 1.35 p.m.) SYDNEY, This Day. “From a long-term view the war picture for the Allies in the Pacific shows * many hopeful features. However, Aus- : tralia and New Zealand have not to concern themselves immediately with : a long-range policy hut with Checking and repulsing the implacable and swarming foe. For these tasks all the aid the United Nations are able to •/send to this theatre will be needed, i This, comment on the war in the Pacific was made to-day by the Sydney l Morning Herald” in an editorial review of the Papuan campaign, now successfully concluded. “However little the Japanese may relish the taste of defeat they are not likely to regard the abortive invasion of Papua as a wasted enterprise, says the “Herald.” Their losses have been far greater than ours, but most measured in relation to their present vast preponderance of trained soldiery. Papua is merely a geographical desigS nation, not a military entity, and the 5 Japanese still hold Lae, Salamaura and other bases in the north-west on the great island of New Guinea. These > points they have been steadily rein- - forcing while at Buna and Gona then troops were fighting a delaying action to the last man.” ' Australiians should realise the continuing strength of the enemy position in a great arc extending around this country’s north, adds the “Herald. Particularly in the north-east, the Japanese were again mustering great Strength in men, planes, and ships. From Rabaul subsidiary baseo enemy aircraft particularly, were operating with renewed menacing vigoui. Australia’s official review of the war against the . Japanese- in the Pacific will be placed before the United Nations in a special Australia Day broadcast to be made by the Prime Minister (Mr J. Curtin) at 9.30 p.m. (New Zealand) time on Tuesday. His speech will be relayed by the British Broadcasting Corporation in a number oi transmissions which have been arranged primarily for British and Ame- * rican listeners. It is believed that Mr Curtin will stress the belief that the war may be long-drawn-out unless the United Nations reinforce their striking, power in the South Pacific. In the meantime the first benefit of the eviction of the Japanese from Papua is already becoming apparent. Native rubber tappers who have been serving as carriers for .tire Allied forces are go-ing-back to their peacetime jobs. Papua normally produced 1,500,000 tons of raw rubber annually and most of the larger plantations expect to maintain their production for the present season at this level.

The Allied troops, resting after the strenuous campaign in Papua are reported by war correspondents to be convinced that the physical obstacles alnjad in ■: continuing the campaign in New Guinea cannot possibly be faorse than those already encountered and overcome. Even more trying than the difficulties of the terrain Avere the oppressive humidity and the ceaseless annoyance of mosquitoes and other jungle insects.