N.Z. TROOP CONVOYS

Grey River Argus, 16 January 1941, Page 6

N.Z. TROOP CONVOYS

MUST BE ADEQUATE Government’s Firm Stand [Per Press Association] WELLINGTON, January 15. The protection of New Zealand troop convoys was discussed by the Minister of Defence, Hon. F. Jones, m an interivew to-night. The Gov. ernment, he said, had never permuted, and would never agree to, the despatch of New Zealand transports from the Dominion till it was satisfied that the ocean escorts proposed by the naval authorities wer e reasonably adequate, taking into account ail of the prevailing circumstances. Hon. Mr Jones said that his attention had been called to the fact that number s of letters are bemg received by newspapers referring to the question of the protection that is to be afforded the New Zealanu troops proceeding overseas. “The public, and in particular inc relatives of members of the N.Z.E.1., can be assured that this is a matter which has, from the time of thudespatch of the first troop convoy, received the very close and constan,. attention of the Government,’ said the Minister. “The arrangements for the provision of transports and ot the necessary warship escort made in clos P co-operation with Governments in the United Kingdom and in Australia. The Director ot Sea Transports in London communicates the names of the ships W'hiun are to act as transports, and dates upon which they will bp made av<i>l able, and the Admiralty communicate’ the arrangements proposed lor ocean escort beyond. th ( > Australian station. The Admiralty, usually, leaves it lo th P Commonwealth and New Zealand Naval Boards to make mutual arrangements for the ocean escort from New Zealand to Australian waters and onward to connect with the ocean escort arranged by the Admiralty for the final stages of the voyage. All of the proposed arrangements are reviewed by tnc New Zealand Government in . conjunction with the Chief of tne Naval Staff, and taking into account the scale of possible'attack envisaged At any particular time, or the position in*th P light of intelligence availab'n regarding known or possible movements of enemy warships, including submarine-.”