THE PACIFIC WAR

Evening Post, Volume CXXXIX, Issue 122, 25 May 1945, Page 4

THE PACIFIC WAR

NEW ZEALAND'S PART P.A. HAMILTON, May 24. The future of the New Zealand Division overseas was discussed by the Acting Prime Minister (Mr. Nash) speaking to a capacity attendance at Hamilton tonight. The decision in respect of New Zealand's part in the war against Japan would be made by the New Zealand Government, he said, not by anyone in London or Washington. The Government had, however, sought the views of the Combined Chiefs of Staff and would give full consideration to their advice. The Combined Chiefs of Staff had promised to report to the Prime Minister, giving their views on New Zealand's most effective role. They would, of course, weigh up the various factors, such as numbers, fresh personnel, the relative value of New Zealand's possible contribution on land, sea, and in. the air against Japan, and the need for food production to feed Britain and Europe and the forces in the Pacific. Not till this report had been considered, he said, would New Zealand be in a position to make • a decision. In the meantime arrangements were being made at an accelerated pace,

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said Mr. Nash, to bring back to New Zealand all long-service personnel. ' There could be no question of New Zealand saying, "We have done enough. We will leave our allies to finish the Pacific war." Three years ago, said the Minister, New Zealand was under the immediate threat of Japanese invasion. The Australians in New Guinea, the Americans at Guadalcanal, Midway, and the Coral Sea, stemmed the tide and saved New Zealand. "They fought for us then. Now we must fight for them as well as for ourselves. The Pacific war is our war, said Mr. Nash. "Geographically at least it is far nearer to us that the European war." No country was more concerned than New Zealand with the crushing of Japanese militarism. New Zealand needed security in the Pacific if she were going to get on with the task of building in these islands a just society free from fear and want. LOOKING TO FUTURE. If New Zealand deserted her allies now, how could she expect them to help her if she was menaced by an aggressor in 10 years' time, and without that help what hope would a country as small as New Zealand have of defending herself? What .influence would New Zealand have in determining the peace settlement for the Pacific, if she did not share in the fighting in this theatre? he asked. At present New Zealand, though a small nation, was playing a prominent part at the San Francisco Conference, due in part to the personal qualities of Mr. Fraser, and New Zealand s views were heard with respect because of her magnificent war record. New Zealand, said Mr. Nash, had come out of the war in better shape than any other country. It had not experienced the horrors of a bombing invasion. oi enemy occupation. Her citizens had Plenty of food and clothing. They suffered considerable losses in killed and wounded overseas, but in comparing their war casualty lift with that of other countries it should be remembered that they had suffered no civilian losses. They had np knowledge of even the military losses ot European countries, such as Greece, Poland, Russia, and France, while Australia had classed as prisoners ot war in Japanese hands some 17,000 taken at Singapore, many of whom Weietl?r w £, a^d the Minister New Zealand had lost 9334 dead and 18 051 wounded, but in the last war h losses v/ere 16,302 dead and 41,262 Sunded In the United Kingdom casual'es in the Forces and among civilians and merchant seamen amounted to 306,501 (.641 per cent of the population). New Zealand s 9334 represented .571 per cent, of her population.