MR NASH ELATED

Grey River Argus, 19 March 1942, Page 5

MR NASH ELATED

N.Z. to be Main Base (Rec. 11.37.) NEW YORK, March 17. Hon. W. Nash, New Zealand Minister to the United States, told the press that General MacArthur’s appointment was excellent news. It would be enthusiastically welcomed in New Zealand. Undoubtedly, he said, there would be more frequent consultations with Australia, with which country New Zealand got along tremendously well. Probably no two countries got along better. Mr Nash added that he believed that New Zealand would become the main base, and its strategic importance had already been recognised. He felt that it was logical that the Pacific area should be under an American commander. N>w Zealanders, he said, recognised that they, like the Australians, were in a position of grave peril, but they were equally resolute and courageously confident. MR FRASER’S. TRIBUTE. P.A. WELLINGTON, March 18. News that General MacArthur and some members of his staff had reached Australia for the purpose of tak- ) ing up an important command in the Anzac area was most gratifying and would be welcomed by all who admired so much the gallant, courageous stand of the General and his arms in the Philippines, said the Prime Minister (Rt. Hon. Mr Fraser) this afternoon. General. MacArthur’s reputation as a soldier is of the highest, continued Mr Fraser. His achievements in the Philippines have not been surpassed anywhere. He is a brave, dashing, resourceful and efficient soldier. His appointment will greatly hearten the people of Australia and New Zealand. It will be to them an indication that the American offensive campaign in the Anzac area is now getting fully under way, and that support is materialising in an effective fashion. New Zealand has consistently urged unified supreme command in the Pacific war area, and the announcement of the appointment of General MacArthur indicates the acceptance of the principle either in whole or part, said Mr Fraser. He added that further detailed information was expected immediately. LORD HALIFAX’S SATISFACTION (Rec. 10.45) WASHINGTON, Mar. 18. Lord Halifax. British Ambassador, commenting on General MacArthur’s transfer, said: “People of the United Nations will rejoice to hear General MacArthur has arrived in Australia to take up new and wider responsibilities. It is especially good tidings for the British Commonwealth of Nations. Under the hero of Bataan. American, Dutch, British and Australian soldiers will fight the J'apan J ese with confidence wherever they meet them.” CHINESE TRIBUTE LONDON, March 17. A Chungking message states: Military quarters here welcomed General MacArthur’s appointment, and paid tribute to him as one of the ablest fighting generals of the Allied forces. A Government spokesman said: “The appointment is a wise move in Allied strategy in the Pacific.” The newspaper “Takung Pao” editorially said: “We earnestly hope General MacArthur will defend Australia with the same spirit that he defended Bataan. We must hold Australia as a base from which to launch a future counter offensive.”