"PRO-BRITISH."

Auckland Star, Volume LXXII, Issue 91, 18 April 1941, Page 6

"PRO-BRITISH."

NETHERLANDS INDIES.

PREPARING FOR DEFENCE

"■People of the Netherlands KilM Indies are definitely pro-Briti>li. and if they are attacked they will light with determination—and with the greatest cllicicney, too." That «;i.- I lie opinion expressed to-day by Mr. K. W. Hadley, managing director of tlie liowlyoiir Tyro and Rubber Company of Bataviu. who was a passenger to Sydney by the Matson liner Mari-po.-a from San Francisco. He is returning to Hntavin after a six months' visit to the United States. Mr. lladley has been stationed in Ihe Netherlands Indies for about seven years and .-pent a shorl period at Singapore.

Intensive \vnr preparation* wen- beiiij: carried on by tlie Diilcii. be miiil, and the nalivp. soldiers were well armed and well trained. There uas no question but. that the population strongly supported Britain and were faithful to Queen Wilhclmina.

Mr. Hadley said there had been some upset in trade as a result of the war in Kurope. many of the ordinary channels being blocked as far as agricultural products—particularly copra -were concerned. Oil wa.«. being shipped principally to America.

"•Ta pan, of course, i- getting some oil, but. a j-niiill percentage only of tlie Netherlands Indie- total ••reduction." lie added. "N'at u rally. >he covets the possession of the Indie.-, because of the relief it. would alTord her by making her selfsuMicient in nil.' . Rubber Position. A> far :i- rubber was concerned the crop was lieing shipped to the United States. Mr. Hadley added. He pointed out that, the Netherlands Indies was the largest rubber-producing country in the world, supplying normally half the requirements. Together with British Malaya the potential production was approximately 90 per cent of the world's needs.

"Java is the most densely populated island in the world, with a population of about 45,000.000 in a country not as big as your North Maud." said Mr. lladley. "The natives are intelligent and excellent lighters, so that any invader will meet with a hot reception."'