PACIFIC SITUATION

Evening Star, Issue 24103, 26 January 1942, Page 4

PACIFIC SITUATION

STATEMENT BY MR FRASER BRITAIN'S ATTITUDE (P.A.) WELLINGTON, Jan. 25. When asked to comment on developments in the Pacific area, the Prime Minister (Mr Fraser) to-night pointed to the general mobilisation and drastic restrictions imposed in various directions as proof of the serious view taken by the Government, and more'particularly by those entrusted with the direction of New Zealand’s war effort, the War Cabinet and the chiefs of staff.

“ The position of Now Zealand and our requirements in war equipment,” Mr Fraser said, “ both for our own shores and other Pacific responsibilities, have been pressed consistently and persistently with both the United Kingdom and the United States, and the response to our representations, particularly in recent- months, during which period munitions production has been largely increased in both countries, lias been heartening.”

Mr Fraser also commented on the Press cablegram recently published, which implied that the attitude of the British War Cabinet was to defeat Hitler and then to devote active attention to the war in the Pacific. “ The New Zealand War Cabinet,” Mr Fraser said, “ is in daily, and often hourly, cable communication with Mr Churchill and the British War Cabinet, and never on any occasion has such a statement been made by the United Kingdom authorities, nor has there ever been any mention, or even a hint, of such an attitude receiving a moment’s consideration from the British Prime Minister or his colleagues.”