MUST GO TO MAXIMUM

Auckland Star, Volume LXXIII, Issue 199, 24 August 1942, Page 3

MUST GO TO MAXIMUM

Mr. Nash and Co-operation

Between Allies

CABINET MEETINGS ATTENDED

WASHINGTON, Aug. 23.

When Mr. . Nash, New Zeaiand Minister to Washington, arrived in New York by Clipper from London, he told a Press conference that cooperation between the United Nations was to-day better than ever, but it ought to go to the maximum. He added: "There ought to be nothing one Ally should withhold from the other about its strategy."

Commenting on the war situation, Mr. Nash said: "The United Nations could lose the war if everybody thought we were bound to win. The British people would gradually understand that they must abandon the 'we're-bound-to-win' philosophy. Mr. Nash said he had fully discussed New Zealand problems -with British officials, and added that he had the impression it would get good results for New Zealand and all would be satisfactory when the final arrangements were made. Mr. Nash declined to reveal the topics discussed, but intimated that financial affairs were concerned. He also again urged the creation of a supreme war council, including Britain, America, Russia and China, and also India, "when the Indians get some sense." He explained that ne meant when they were ready to fight the Axis. He added that in that case India should be represented on the council regardless of her relation with the British Commonwealth.

Mr. Nash further said he had attended 15 War Cabinet meetings in England, of which the most interesting were those which concerned the convoy to Malta. He added that of such trips the enemy has unavoidably three days' notice as soon as the convo3 r departs from Gibraltar, and also can attack continuously by planes in the daytime and by submarines in the night time. Nevertheless, convoys get through.

Mr. Nash said that between 2000 and 3000 New Zealand airmen were in Britain, many of whom he had visited. He asserted that their morale was of the highest. He cited as an example an occasion when eight New Zealand plane crews, totalling between 40 and 50 men, failed to return from a mission.

The commanding officer offered to give the other New Zealanders a few days' relief, but none of them accepted, insisting upon returning to the air next evening. Mr. Nash implied that the loss on this occasion was among the highest ever suffered.

Mr. Nash also related his private experiences in England. For example, a youth approached his train and politely asked him to tell his aunt in New Zealand he was well.