PRESS CENSORSHIP ENDS

Evening Post, Volume CXL, Issue 39, 15 August 1945, Page 8

PRESS CENSORSHIP ENDS

Press censorship imposed in New Zealand for security reasons would cease right away, stated the Prime Minister (Mr. Fraser) in the first official announcement he made after his broadcast pddress.

gan to crumple and crumble under her overwhelming attacks. Bataan, Corregidor, Tarawa, Saipan, Midway, Leyte, Lingayen, Iwo Jima, Okinawa, are among a list of imperishable deeds. The Battle of the Coral Sea stemmed and turned back from New Caledonia, Fiji, and New Zealand what seemed to be an innumerable and invincible host, swarming like locusts over the islands of the Pacific. "We think of the Netherlands East Indies and the fine, defiant, unflinching stand of its Government, its forces, and its people. "Our neighbours of New Caledonia and Tahiti and of Indo-China kept the flag of Free and Fighting France flying in the Pacific. LOYALTY OF NATIVES. "Today we can acknowledge with pride the loyalty of the native peoples of the Pacific islands. They showed as much hatred and detestation of Japanese domination as the Australians or Americans or British or New Zealanders. "We are glad that British troops and British ships and British planes have played such a noble part in the war against Japan, particularly in Burma and in the battle of Japan, and that India has been able to contribute to the victory so conspicuously in brave men and essential munitions. "New Zealand took its full part in the Pacific war as it did in the Middle East and in Italy," said Mr. Fraser. "Our Navy, Army, and Air Force engaged the enemy wherever they met them and won the admiration, praise, and complete confidence of American, British, and Australian commanders. "But the war was a world-wide war. Let us glance at some of the names and deeds made immortal by the valour and the blood of the men of the free nations. "From the first to the last, from the battle of the River Plate to the battle of Japan, the New Zealand Navy was in the war, fighting most gallantly and effectively. "Our Second Division bore the brunt of the battle in Greece, Crete, the Libyan desert, Sidi Rezegh, Sidi Assiez, Minqua Quam, Mareth Line, Cassino. "Our Air Force has been invaluable in the Pacific, but in every land and over c»wry «;a where blows were struck for freedom men of our Air Force or New Zealanders in the British Air Force were flying and fighting as New Zealand airmen can and have done —second to none."