WAR—AND AFTER

Greymouth Evening Star, 8 April 1943, Page 6

WAR—AND AFTER

MR NASH’S REVIEW

WELLINGTON, April 7. Referring to the war in the Pacific in an interview on his arrival in Wellington, Mr Nash said that m his opinion the Japanese would fight harder when 'they knew they were going to lose. Mr Nash said that it was important that people should not “get used to the war.” We could not afford to slacken up. Discussing the Atlantic Charter, Mr Nash said that he was satisfied the principles of the Charter were inside the policy of the United Kingdom with regard to the future government of all areas it was responsible for. . “If we were to achieve higher living standards, not only in our own country but in all other countries, particularly those in the Pacific, then it was obvious that we had to find a way of exchanging the resources of the various countries,” said Mr Nash, replying to a question regarding postwar trading developments. “This meant the expansion of trade to a hitherto unthought of degree.” Speaking of his mission in Washington. Mr Nash said that what had been done by the New Zealand Government during , the last seven or eight years in this country and what had been done by New Zealand s fighting men had made his task easy. He had only to talk of what had been done by New Zealanders in Greece and Crete and other operations, of the fine performance by the Achilles, and by New Zealand airmen, and of the New Zealand Social Security scheme, and New Zealand was right 'at the peak of publicity in the United States. Referring to financial Questions, Mr Nash said that both Britain and America had plans for international currency. Quite long research work and discussions had been proceeding in London in connection with international currency. Americans had an idea of their own in connection with a stabilisation plan, and, according to a recent wireless message Mr Morgenthau, Secretary of the Treasury, had revealed minor details oi that plan. Mr Nash said that he had the full plans, both British and American, and would discuss them with the Government. . Asked what the relationship would be between New Zealand currency and sterling if the exchange restrictions wore completely removed, Mr Nash said it was obvious that it would depend on changed conditions in connection with New Zealand trade trade and New Zealand's currency and balances, and that the present, rate, as between the United Kingdom and the United States, was not a rate determined by old procedures. It was almost correct to say that no exchange rate to-day was in accord with the measures used prior to the war. It was obvious that discussions should take place early to determine how a maximum exchange of commodities could be achieved inside some exchange procedure satisfactory to all parties. He said that conferences would take place soon on,the subject. U.S.A. PRESS~COMMENT NEW~YORK, April 7. “Mr Nash’s statement that an offensive may be expected in the Pacific simultaneously with a projected Ailed invasion of Europe, may be optimistic, but it indicates that things are moving,” comments We ‘New York Times.” “Growing Allied aerial superiority in the Pacific, and quick recovery of the American Navy have laid the basis for the campaign. A change in Pacific plans may be the explanation for Japan’s husbanding of her fighting forces and General To jo’s statement that the war is becoming more serious, on which account Japan must increase the lighting strength."

MR. JONES' STATEMENT

(N.Z.I'.A. Special Correspondent)

LONDON, April 6

Mr. Jones forecast the modernis-

ing of Hie Air Force in New Zealand and expressed confidence that Axis forces in AdTica would soon be cleaned up. He gave a warning that Japan must be watched closely in the Pacific. These were points made by Mr. Jones at a Press conference at the Savoy Hotel. He stated he had not seen the Nev/ Zealand Di-

vision in the Middle East, as they were engaged on operations, but he intended seeing them before he returned to New-.-. Zealand. Mr. Jones said. “The purpose of my visit is to see New Zealand troops as far as ' possible in any theatre of war where they are serving. In England I hope to see the Forestry, and Air and Naval units. I hope as soon as the time is convenient to return to the Middle East to see our Division. I cannot go back to New Zealand without seeing them." Commenting on the air position in Now Zealand, lie said: “We are looking forward to modernising the wholeof our Air Force. The Americans have promised us a fairly good release of aircraft this year, and, as thev come forward, we will have no difficulty in manning them with New Zealand crews. They will be used for the defence of New Zealand, and for operations. Up to date, New Zealand has sent ten thousand airmen overseas. We have over twenty thousand men in New Zealand being trained for operational aircrews, so when we have modern aircraft, they will be a welcome addition to the Air Forces fighting in file Solomon Islands.” Mr. Jones discussed the theory that the Germans should be beaten first, before attention is turned to Japan. Mr. Jones said: “What if the Japanese proved superior in the Pacific area? I think that we have got to take effective steps at the present time against the Japanese. There is no sign of the Japanese proving superior. The fact of the recent knocks they received from the Australians in New Guinea and from Americans in the Solomons proved the Allied troops superior. But I would not say that everything is over at the present time, or that we have got the best of them. We have no idea if Japan has got fresh plans. SoAminfflv shp isi twillS to CODSOII-

date as much as she can. She works from island to island using, in the main, land-based aircraft.” Mr. Jones, speaking on Tunisia, said: The situation looks very promising. It should not be long before we have cleaned up North Africa.'’ The Americans had shipped great quantities of aircraft to the Middle East, he said, but they were not neglecting their forces in the South Pacific. While going to America, he had visited various Pacific bases, also Honolulu. He was surprised by developments the Americans had carried out on coral island bases. “It was remarkable,” he said. “I could not conceive that so much could be done in so little time.” In Washington, thanks to Mr. Nash, he had made valuable contacts, meeting Sir J. Dill, General Marshall and Admiral King. “It was. nice to hear the complimentary things they said regarding our forces,” he said. He paid a warm tribute to Mr.. Nash’s work at Washington, and said general regret was expressed there among all sections when they heard Mr. Nash was leaving to pay a visit to New Zealand.

Asked whether the New Zealand Division would return home after the Tunisian campaign, Mr. Jones said: No decision has been taken. It is a matter for the New Zealand Parliament.”

To a query as to whether the com-

ing general election in New Zealand was the result of differences on the war effort, he said: “No! There are no differences of opinion. ' I think our people realise that we have to win this war, and that if Britain fell our position would be untenable.” He added that he had no doubts the Government would be returned with a bigger majority than ever. Mr. Jones particularly praised the work of the railway companies in Lebanon, Syria, and Palestine. Some units now had returned to Maadi, but he could not say where they would be given work next. Mr. Jones said that more air strength was needed in the South Pacific before the Japanese could be got out. New Zealand’s air strength included Flying Fortresses, Hudsons, Kittyhawks—and some Ansons. Asked whether New Zealand was satisfied with her aircraft deliveries, he replied she would be satisfied if she received the aircraft promised this year. The earlier promises had not been kept, because of unanticipated demands from other war fronts. “We still want more modern aircraft, so that we shall have a modern air force, and be able to put up an effective light,” he concluded. PACIFIC NATIONS. (Rec. 11.30 a.mJ WASHINGTON, April 7. _ The formation of a permanent United Nations Council was recommended at the December conference of the Institute of Pacific Relations. The report, just published, points out that there were considerable criticisms of the excessive British and American dominance in the conduct of the war and a growing belief that the operations of war and peace would be badly handicapped unless the present nominal association ol United Nations was transformed into a functioning, policy-making organ. Lord Hailey suggested a Regional Council for the Pacific, consisting of representatives of England, America, Russia, Australia, New Zealand, China, Canada, Thailand, France, the Netherlands, and the Netnerlands East Indies. The Pacific Council would arrange peace safeguards and organise co-operative action to secure a common economic policy and tariffs. . . , . , Other recommendations included that Japan be stripped of all her possessions, including Manchuria, Korea, and the Mandated Islands. China indicated that she desired Formosa. The Far Eastern delegates proposed that Allied and Asiatic troops occupy Tokio, temporarily, after the war, but rejected a proposal that the Emperor Hirohito’s Palace be destroyed.

Most of the delegates were of the opinion that the captured lands in the Pacific should be returned to the sovereign Powers, pending steps towards self-government. The Round Table on India stressed the need of some form of collective security, including the United States, thus breaking American isolationism on the 'one hand and British Imperialism on ilie other.