“NO EASY TASK”

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXII, Issue 21632, 8 February 1945, Page 4

“NO EASY TASK”

CARRIER OPERATIONS ADMIRAL FRASER’S VIEWS WELCOME TO CAPITAL (P.A.) ■ WELLINGTON. Feb. 8. An enthusiastic reception was accorded Admiral Sir Bruce Fraser at a State luncheon given in his honour at Parliament House yesterday. At the conclusion of his reply to the speech of welcome by the Prime Minister, the Rt. Hon. P. Fraser, who presided, cheers were given for the admiral and the British Pacific Fleet. The luncheon was attended by Ministers of the Crown, members of the House of l Representatives and the Legislative Council. High Commissioners, and representatives of the United Nations -nd representatives of the citizens. Mr. Peter Fraser said the visit of the admiral would bring home to the people of New Zealand the. sense of great responsibility that still rested upon them and they would back up their welcome with an increased effort till victory was won. Admiral Fraser said that, he had already spoken so much since he had arrived in New Zealand that it was difficult for him to say much more. What he and the men with him appreciated was the real sincerity and overwhelming nature of the welcome. It had been really remarkable. The British Pacific Fleet would be greatly honoured to know of the very representative nature of the gathering that day. He added that, whatever political views one might have, he always felt that the man who had the burden of leading a country in time of war deserved every sympathy. He felt proud at the presence of representatives of the United Nations. Ships of theirs had been under his command at one time or another. Importance of Sea Control Referring to recent attacks by British aircraft-carriers on Japanese oil supplies in Sumatra, Admiral Fraser said it was a very difficult operation and the aircraft had had to fly many hundreds of miles. He thought it was one of the first occasions that four carriers had worked together. ' The war had been such that they had had to operate singly or two together. Four operating together was not an easy task. What it meant to the island nations to have control of the sea was referred to by the admiral, who said that that had been proved by the results. “We nearly lost command of the sea and the war in 1940, but we just managed to struggle thi’ough. It does not matter what army or air force you have. If you lose control of the sea, you lose the war.” The admiral said that the reason Japan was being forced back was because she had lost command of the sea. Admiral Fraser said he was. often asked to prophesy the end of the war, but. he always replied, “You tell me how hard you are going'to work. The more we .can both, you and I, double our effort the shorter the war will be." He added: “That is only common sense.” Admiral Fraser met the War Cabinet yesterday afternoon. The Prime Minister stated subsequently that various matters in connection with the warm the Pacific and the British Pacific Fleet had been discussed.