MR. CHURCHILL IN WASHINGTON

Auckland Star, Volume LXXII, Issue 304, 24 December 1941, Page 6

MR. CHURCHILL IN WASHINGTON

'J'IME —and the right use of time—is alMmportant to the nations fighting against the Axis Powers now, and, characteristically, Mr. Churchill has saved time by crossing the Atlantic to consult President Roosevelt in person. Tlie primary objective of their talks is "the defeat of Hitlerism throughout the world," and it Is Intended that later conferences should include "Russia, China, the Netherlands and the Dominions." The significance of this list is that all the countries named in it are actually fighting against Hitlerism; many other countries are opposed to it, but they have been subjugated. All the countries named are also Pacific countries or have vital interests in the Pacific, where alone the Axis forces are winning victories. For that reason it may be f,?m a ! ar !S part the ( t ? ,ks n °w going on in Washington will be devoted to . the question of how best to slow down, and later . Ja P® nese southward drive> which has gained important Vh ? es and seems likely to gain more. But the main, purpose of the conference is even more Important. This war that we are in is one war and the direction of the anti-Axis forces, the determination of their strategy and the allocation of their supplies should as far as possible, be unified. The ideal is perhaps impossible of attainment but much progress can be made towards it,by two statesmen of the quality, of Mr. Churchill and Mr. Roosevelt. So different In many respects, they are alike in their prescience, their determination and their resourcefulness. Meanwhile, as the "further conferences" ar<s "to include the Dominions, urgent attention should be given by the Government in New Zealand to the need of appointing a Minister in Washington No other post, save that of the Prime Minister, is so important at this time