ADMIRAL NEWTON

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXII, Issue 21646, 23 February 1945, Page 4

ADMIRAL NEWTON

VISIT TO DOMINION S. PACIFIC COMMANDER TRIBUTE TcTn.Z. EFFORT (P.A.) WELLINGTON. Feb. 23. Appreciation of what New Zealand was doing in the production of foodstuffs for tlie armed forces in the Pacific was expressed by Vice-Admiral .1, 11. Newton. U.S.N., commander of the South Pacific force and area, replying to a welcome extended to him at a State luncheon at Parliament Buildings yesterday. He said it was remarkable Hie way New Zealand had been able to step up its production far beyond whai New Zealand and American econo mists had predicted. It had beet: thought that if New Zealand could provide for 500,000 that was all that could be hoped for, but as the demand became greater New Zealand had been asked if it would produce more. It had done so. and he understood that this country was now producing for over 700,000. Tlie function, over which the Prime Minister, the Rt. Hon. P. Fraser, lire sided, was attended by a representative gathering. The Prime Minister said that all o! them had been interested in the Crimea conference, but one of the most pleasant results of that important meeting of Mr. Churchill. President Roosevelt and Marshal Stalin was that Admiral Newton was with them that day. Admiral Newton was under orders to leave his command to become inspector-general of fleets of the whole Pacific, but the man who was to take his place had had to go to the Crimea. Admiral Newton': visit was long overdue. They wel coined him as a great seaman and as a great naval leader. He was one whi had specialised in planning and had contributed a great deal to naval planning, not only in the Pacific, bir also in the Atlantic. Food For Fighting- Forces It was never more important than it was now that tiie war effort of New Zealand should -be maintained and that the stream of food should flow uninterrupted to the fighting forces, said tlie Prime Minister.

He added that lie did not know ol one admiral, general or statesman who could tell them when the war villi Germany would be over, let

alone the war with Japan. Those ol them in receipt ol information were not. likely to under-estimate the forces of Germany, crippled though she was in many ways. The going might be very hard and the losses very great before Nazism was crushed, and it would be crushed. The Allies had gone faster than thev had dared expect, and the fact that Tokio was being bombed and could ,o bombed was a most encouraging omen. In its war effort New Zealand wa endeavouring to do its best. "Our wai effort can be nullified and negatived unless we can still put our fuiles' effort into it," said Mr. Fraser. Admiral Newton, who was greeted with applause, said the bond of friendship between New Zealand and America had increased greatly durint the past four years; and he felt sun it would increase still more year by year. In campaigns and operations in the South Pacific he and his officers and men had worked side by side with New Zealanders, and they had neasurecl tip in every way with their highest hopes. Nothing- But the Highest Praise

Referring to the production by New Zealand of foodstuffs for the armeo forces in the Pacific, Admiral Newton said he had nothing but the highest praise for the co-operation of the New Zealand Government. He could not say what fresh foods from New Zealand had meant to the forces in the Pacific. The demand would not diminish. Some of the food from New Zealand for the Pacific had been diverted for it was needed in the Philippines campaign. Tremendous quantities of this food were being aioplied to Admiral Nimitz. Admiral Newton said he was satisfied that Admiral Nimitz was relying on those suppllies and he would not be surprised if Admiral Nimitz asked New Zealand if it could step up its production still more. No one should get the idea that when the war in Europe was finished a great lot of ■hipping would be released for the Pacific. The rehabilitation of Europe and the feeding of the conquered territories was going to put additional strain on shipping. As the war moved to the westward in the Pacific it would increase the turnrouncl of shipping. They were making a continuous study to expedite the turnrouncl of ships. Loading and unloading operations took place 24 hours a day. The hatches were removed as a ship was coming in and unloading took place immediately it tied up and continued without a break until the unloading was finished. The hatches were put on again as the ship was going to sea. As a result of studying how improvements could be effected and time saved the time of the turnrouncl had been reduced by 40 per cent in some eases. Easing Strain on United States Admiral Newton said that in addition to furnishing vast supplies of foods for the Pacific. New Zealand was repairing ships, cars, and trucks, and renovating clothing. All of this was a great help and was easing the strain on the United States, whore labour was certainly just as scarce and possibly scarcer than it was here. The admiral thanked New Zealand for its great help in the prosecution of the war. Admiral Newton, accompanied bv the United Stales Minister, Mr. K. S. Patton, vosterdav attended a meeting of the War Cabinet, at which were present also the New Zealand chiefs of staff. The Prime Minister, the Rt. Hon. P. Fraser, said after the meeting that Hie Pacific situation had been discussed, both in regard to the fighting forces and the important question of supply, without which there could bo no operations.