WAR COUNCIL MEETS

Press, Volume LXXVII, Issue 23316, 30 April 1941, Page 6

WAR COUNCIL MEETS

DISPATCH OF TROOPS TO GREECE

GOVERNMENT’S DECISION ENDORSED (P.A.) WELLINGTON, April; 29. “A meeting of the War Council was held yesterday," said the Prime Minister (the Rt. Hon. P. Fraser) in a statement to-night. “It was "attended by members of the War Cabinet, other Ministers of the Crown, Messrs L. G. Lowry, M.P., H. Atmore, M.P., E. T. Tirikatene, R. Eddy, A. McLagan, C. C. Davis (Christchurch), W. W. Mulholland, and the Hon. W- Perry. “A statement of the qircumstances leading up to the Government’s decision to dispatch the New Zealand Division to Greece in company with Australian and British troops was made to the council by the Prime Minister, and the following resolution was passed unanimously: ‘That this council, having heard the statement of the Prime Minister detailing the events which led up to the Government’s agreeing to our troops taking part in the operations in Greece, expresses its full support of the decision of the Government, which was arrived at after a very able and accurate appreciation of the situation.’ “The council was informed of the present position in regard to the supply of oil fuel, and the following is the text of a resolution which was passed; ‘That the War Council welcomes the agreement reached with representatives of the motor industry, industrial, agricultural, and other interested organisations, referred to by the Minister for Supply in his statement of April 28 regarding the necessity in the national interest of further reducing the consumption of petrol. In view of the need for economy in petrol usage, in the interests of national safety and defence, as indicated in the Minister’s statement, the War Council strongly'urges all State and local body services and all other sections of the motoring public, both commercial and private, to provide for the maximum conservation and the minimum use of petrol. As a means of assisting in doing this, the War Council invites the commercial and industrial community so to organise the use of transport as to avoid unnecessary duplication and waste of petrol.’ “The council also discussed the provision of a convalescent hospital for soldiers returning from service abroad, and certain matters concerning the Home Guard. These two topics are to be further discussed by the Defence and Military Affairs Committee at its next meeting. A meeting of the Primary and Industrial Production Committee of the War Council will be held to-morrow to discuss fully the cultivation of linen flax in the Dominion."