TRIBUTE BY PREMIER

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 21923, 18 January 1946, Page 3

TRIBUTE BY PREMIER

N.Z. FORCES’ WEEKLY

LONDON PAPER CEASES (Special Correspondent.) , LONDON, Jan. 16. A tribute has been paid by the Prime Minister, Mr. P. Fraser, to the Southern Cross, the New Zealand forces weekly newspaper in London which has now published its fiftysecond and final issue.

“It has,” said Mr. Fraser, “been most successful in its purpose of keeping servicemen in close touch with events and affairs at hom e and with the exploits of our armed forces in all theatres of war.”

First published on January 20, 1945, the newspaper’s busiest period was during the time the New Zealand prisoners of war were arriving in England from the Continent. Its circulation then reached 6000. The initial work of launching it was carried out by Mr. Robin Miller, publicity officer at New Zealand House, formerly of the Auckland Star. The editorship was taken over by Lieutenant S. T. Mahoney, formerly of the Daily Telegraph, Napier, on February 1, 1945. Working with him have been a succession of newspapermen drawn from the services, many of whom are now home in New Zealand.

The newspaper was financed by the National Patriotic Fund Board.' It was bright, popular and always in demand. A message of congratulation on its. work was also sent to the Southern Cross by General Sir Bernard Freyberg.