DARK DAYS RECALLED

Evening Star, Issue 25169, 8 May 1944, Page 4

DARK DAYS RECALLED

MR FRASER Of! ENGLAND'S COURAGE

fI.Z. PROUD TO SERVE HER (Official News Service.) (Rec. 8 am.) LONDON, May 5. New Zealand's pride in having taken a full part in the war from the very beginning up to the climax which now seems imminent was expressed by Mr Fraser in a statement to-day. He said that his three wartime visits bad coincided with three distinct phases of the conflict, especially as far as New Zealand was concerned. We were now entering a period in which the European war was moving towards its climax and the Pacific war was steadily gaining momentum. Mr Fraser' gave the total New Zealand casualties of all kinds as 29,850, including 7,300 killed. He also revealed that New Zealand has sent overseas approximately 110,000 men since the outbreak. New Zealand had madi> this contribution to the cause of the United Nations spontaneously, because it realised the grave danger to civilisation which the Axis threat presented. " We are determined to go on doing our utmost to bring victory as speedily as possible," he said. "We respect profoundly the similarly great efforts made by the people of the British Isles and the other nations of the .Commonwealth as well as our Allies. Whether it is to be more men for the fronts or more food or increased production in other directions, 1 can assure you that New Zealand will contribute everything she has to the common effort." Mr Fraser added: " When 1 walk through the streets of London this spring my mind goes back inevitably to my last visit here. The dark days of the early summer of 1941 found London hard bit by recent raids, but with its spirit undaunted. In the streets thu people, with no certain assurance of victory beyond a feeling in their own hearts, carried on determinedly. I felt proud then to be the representative of a fellow-country of the British Commonwealth which was sharing these perils and efforts with Britain in defence of civilisation. The British people in that grim hour were magnificent. To-day it is another Britain —equally magnificent, but this time fully armed with not only her own forces, but those of powerful allies and the other nations of the Commonwealth standing by ready for the climax of the European wnt. From my knowledge of British history. ami a'bove all from impressions carried in my mind ever since that momentous experience of visiting London in 1940. T am sure our forces will go into this campaign witli magnificent determination and spirit. We in New Zealand are proud to have .played our part through the assistance given by our troops, airmen, sailors, farmers, and factory workers in the days when England, was ■ truly besieged. Now that there is an ever-growing certainty that the siege will be lifted and the war of Europe brought to its final stage, we are proud to be a-ble to play our pari in this common struggle—both now in the defeat of the enemy, and after wards in the establishment of a world which shall be worthy of the spirit of the people of Britain during these long years' of war."-

HOPES TO VISIT N.Z. DIVISION

(Rec. 8 a.m.) ' LONDON, May 7. . Mr Fraser had a busy week, in which he' even made his meal engagements the occasion for private talks with British and New Zealand officials. Bo has seen Mr Churchill on several occasions apart from the conference sessions, and has also talked with, Mr Eden, Lord Cranborne, Lord Portal, Lord Keynes, and other Government and service officials. Mr Fraser, if tinlength of his stay permits, may visit air and naval stations where New Zealanders are stationed, and may also go to Italy to visit the New Zealand division.