CLOSEST ACCORD

Auckland Star, Volume LXXII, Issue 272, 17 November 1941, Page 8

CLOSEST ACCORD

IN PACIFIC DEFENCE >.Z. AND AUSTRALIA The closest possible agreement on defence issues had been reached bv New Zealand and Australia, said the Minister of Finance. Mr. Nash, in a broadcast speech last night on his recent visit to the Commonwealth. He was satisfied that both countries were taking all adequate measures to protect themselves against all dangers which could be envisaged. Both countries were inseparably linked with the fortunes of Britain, and their war effort was essentiallv a joint one. New Zealand and Australia had to be prepared to defend not only their own shores, but also Oceania, the Indies and Malava besides helping in the defence of other parts of the British Commonwealth. Singapore was the outer perimeter of the Australian and New Zealand defence system. The inner perimeter lay along the shores of the two countries, and in the event of one country being attacked it would be assisted by the other. With the continually growing strength of the [armed forces of both countries the ; future could be faced with full [ confidence.

Australia was rapidly being transformed into a vast workshop of defence, said the Minister, and Xew Zealand's effort in defence, having regard to the smallness of the Dominion, compared favourablv with that of the Commonwealth.