DESTROY JAPAN

Auckland Star, Volume LXXIII, Issue 134, 9 June 1942, Page 6

DESTROY JAPAN

AMERICA'S PLEDGE

HIGH PRAISE FOR SEAMEN WELLINGTON, this day. "We pledge the resources, the liberties, the honour and the power of 130,000.000 Americans because we believe that Japan is threatening the liberties of nil peaceful nations, and we will attack and defeat and destroy Japan," said Brigadier-General P. j. Hurley. American Minister in New Zealand, speaking at the annual meeting of the Catholic Seamen's Institute. Wellington. "We come from your kinspeople across the Pacific, for your cause is our cause and your principles are our principles."

"I have not met a single New Zealander I did not like; they are the most courteous and hospitable people I have ever known and our contacts with them have been most engaging. We are happy to be here," continued General Hurley in acknowledging what he referred to as the "splendid hospitality" received by American seamen in New Zealand. The sailors bringing war supplies to this country were contributing as much toward victory as the men who attacked the enemy, he added. "I cannot imagine anything more courageous or more honourable than the work of the seamen who have many times faced the dangers of the sea and have been torpedoed or divebombed and who sign on again for the same risks. They are bringing cargoes to this country more precious than ever before," said the Prime Minister, Mr. Fraser, expressing on behalf of the Government appreciation of the work of the institute. The war was drawing perceptibly closer to New Zealand to drive home to all people the importance of the work of the sailors. There had been a tendency to take too much of this difficult, and dangerous work for granted. Mr. Fraser said that the consul for the Netherlands had asked him to thank the Catholic Seamen's Institute for hospitality extended to Dutch and Javanese sailors.