WAR IN PACIFIC

Press, Volume LXXIX, Issue 24123, 6 December 1943, Page 4

WAR IN PACIFIC

CANADIAN PEOPLE’S INTEREST ASSOCIATIONS WITH DOMINION (P.A.) AUCKLAND. .Dec. 5. “Tremendous interest is taken by the Canadian people in New Zealand,” said Mr A. R. Ford, .leader of the Canadian press delegation, which arrived in New Zealand on Saturday. “It started during the last war in which Canadians and New Zealanders fought side by side. They got. along well together then and are doing so again. „ , , . “Thousands of New Zealand airmen have been training in Canada, and they have made a most favourable Impression. Everybody likes New Zealanders,” added Mr Ford. He said that there had been a great many New Zealanders stationed near his home city, London, Ontario. “For these reasons and the fact that we are really a Pacific Power, Canadians are keenly interested in the war against Japan. It is our war as well as yours," he continued. “The dispatch of Canadian troops to the Pacific war has already been advocated in the Canadian Parliament. Although Canada is committed to the European war at present, it has lost troops at Hong Kong and has participated with the Americans in the expedition to the Aleutian Islands. Hard fighting was expected in the Aleutians, but the Japanese got out.” Mr Ford expressed the view that before the war was over Canadians would be fighting side by side with the New Zealanders and Australians in the Pacific. He would like to see, Canadian troops coming to New Zealand even if at first it was only a small force, to demonstrate the Canadians’ recognition of the bonds uniting the sister Dominions. Economic Possibilities “After the war the nations of the Pacific will have to get their feet under the same table and work out their problems,” said Mr Ford. “We will have to study ways and means of raising the standard of living of the Asiatic peoples. There should be vast economic possibilities in the Pacific. “Popular feeling in Canada is overwhelmingly in favour of remaining part of the British Commonwealth of Nations,” added Mr, Ford. This opinion was shared by the other delegates, who said the French-Canadians were strongly'in support of the Commonwealth. Discussing lend-lease, the delegates saiu they preferred the term used by Canada, “mutual aid.” Canada would provide help when and where it was needed. “There is no dollar sign on mutual aid," said Mr B. T. Richardson, a member of the delegation. He added that if reciprocity was not practicable then it would be a gift. Mutual aid was already operating in the Pacific. Canada, in additioft to its supplies to Britain and North Africa, has sent much equipment to the South-East Asia Command. Mr Richardson said he did not know what arrangements had been made with New Zealand for mutual aid, but the official attitude in Canada was to give where there was a need to be filled. _____________