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DUTCH WILL FIGHT

THE EAST INDIES

IF AN ATTACK COMES

STRONGER DEFENCES

(By Telegraph—Press Association.)

AUCKLAND. May 18

"If the Netherlands East Indies are attacked they will certainly fight and they are well prepared to defei.d themselves," said Mr. E. N. Van Kleffens, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Netherlands, who has arrived in New Zealand from Sydney on a brief visit on his way back to London, where the Netherlands Government has its headquarters. He is accompanied by Mrs. Van Kleflens, Mr. C. J. I. M. Welter, Colonial Minister, and a staff of three.

Though both Ministers said they were not expert in military matters, they spoke with enthusiasm of the detences of the Netherlands East Indies which, they said, were growing progressively stronger every week as fresh supplies of aircraft and other equipment arrived from the United States.

A high compliment had recenlty been paid to the air force of the Netherlands East Indies by Air Chief Marshal Sir Robert Brooke-Popham, British Commander-in-Chief in the Far East, and this branch of the Archipelago's defences had the most modern equipment available. Fighters, medium bombers, and dive-bombers of standard American make were already in service in substantial numbers and many more had been ordered.

All the pilots were Dutchmen and, though none had yet seen service, Mr. Welter said he was sure they would give a good account of themselves if called upon to fight. The Dutch were as air-minded as any other nation in the world, and if more warplanes could be obtained, fully-trained crews for them would be readily available.

In reply to questions concerning the attitude of the large native population of the Netherlands East Indies to the war, Mr. Van Kleffens said that some of the natives, especially those living in the more remote parts, naturally knew little about it. Not all the native races made good soldiers, but some did and were well represented in the forces.

Both Ministers expressed pleasure at the opportunity of visiting New Zealand and of meeting members of the Dominion's Cabinet They left for Wellington tonight and will have conversations with the Acting Prime Minister, Mr. Nash, and other Ministers before leaving for the United States by air in about a week's time.

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Permanent link to this item

https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/EP19410519.2.40

Bibliographic details

Evening Post, Volume CXXXI, Issue 116, 19 May 1941, Page 6

Word Count
373

DUTCH WILL FIGHT Evening Post, Volume CXXXI, Issue 116, 19 May 1941, Page 6

DUTCH WILL FIGHT Evening Post, Volume CXXXI, Issue 116, 19 May 1941, Page 6