A FIGHTING LEADER

Dominion, Volume 37, Issue 210, 2 June 1944, Page 4

A FIGHTING LEADER

It is in every way fitting that the Government and, people of the Dominion should welcome the visit of Admiral Halsey, U.S.N. In days when the menace to the South Pacific was very real and close he was appointed to be commander of this area, and there is stirring history, the record of much accomplished, between the day of his appointment and that on which, once more on our shores, he could say - “The very grave danger New Zealand and Australia faced two years ago is absolutely obliterated. I think you people here can breathe in perfect security.” Admipal Halsey has directed the operations that have been so. largely responsible, for effecting that great change, and his skilled fighting services will be warmly acknowledged and long remembered. The Dominion will appreciate life generous references to the part played by the various New Zealand units that have served under his command on sea. land and in the air, and to the value the Dominion has been as a base where servicemen, tired and battle-worn, have found needed rest and rehabilitation. And his assurance that as a source of supplies for the units in the combat zone the Dominion has rendered valuable aid will also give satisfaction. It was one of the duties that lav to our hand, and while the struggle lasts that duty will remain. ’The picture Admiral Halsey gave of the position m the South Pacific area was one of a defeated enemy so crushed that the Allied commander has been relieved of his duties in order to serve in some other, and as yet undisclosed, post. Wherever it may be the admiral will carry with him the good wishes ot the people ot New Zealand who have appreciated his breezy personality and his capacity to hit hard. ' . , . , , The best recognition of the services which the admiral and. those under his command have rendered, and which have resulted m the removal of a grave danger, will be to stimulate the national ctvi lan effort in every way possible. The safety enjoyed means freedom for greater productive effort. Others, and particularly the people o ic United Kingdom, have not that direct immunity, and if the enemy has been driven back to such an extent that he cannot now menace this land, then that liberates us, as a people, for the task of providing the foodstuffs and materials needed urgently by those in the battle zones or within range of enemy action. 1 hat is the added responsibility which increased safety imposes.