DISCUSSIONS ON ROLE IN EMPIRE PLAN

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXVII, Issue 23288, 24 June 1950, Page 4

DISCUSSIONS ON ROLE IN EMPIRE PLAN

(P.A.) WELLINGTON, June 24. The Chief of the Imperial General Staff, Field Marshal Sir William Slim, will be reporting to-the Government on his impressions of New Zealand’s defence preparations before he leaves on Thursday on his return to London. The Prime Minister, Mr. S. G. Holland, said last evening that he had arranged for the field marshal to see as much as possible of these preparations and the compulsory military training scheme in the limited time at his disposal. Mr .Holland said he and Field Marshal Slim had a discussion alone yesterday morning. Later Sir William met a small Cabinet sub-committee. The Leader of the Opposition. Mr. P. Fraser, was present at these discussions. Subsequently Field Marshal Slim met the full Cabinet.

The Prime Minister said the discussions were of such a nature that it would be most improper to raise them in public. They were most helpful as they enabled Ministers to obtain a full appreciation of the overall international situation and plans for dealing with it. Naturall ythe most important aspect was how New Zealand could best play its part in the preservation of peace, for that, after all. was the main strategic aim of the Commonwealth and the democracies.