PRIME MINISTER

Grey River Argus, 22 December 1943, Page 2

PRIME MINISTER

CHRISTMAS MESSAGE Another Year of War Ahead | [Per Press Association] WELLINGTON, Dec. 21. A Christmas message to the people of New Zealand hag been issued by the Prime Minister, Rt. Hon. P. Fraser. It is published by the official Labour newspaper “The Standard’’. Mr. Fraser says: “Those in any section of the people who imagine that the war is already won, and that they can now slack or push their own demands recklessly, and without consideration for the effect on the country or on its war effort, are simply living in a fool’s paradise; and, if the cause of democracy is to be defended, it must, and will, be met with firm resistance from the Government. “It is the fifth war Xmas, and. I am afraid, not vet the last. The year 1944 will be another war year, but victory will be much nearer before its close.’’ Reviewing Allied victories and war conferences in 1943. Mr. Fraser said: “As 1944 drawns, the United Nations are on the road to victory. This is the message which the year 1943 hands on to the New Year. It is sufficient to reinforce confidence in us all, without encouraging foolishness or complacency.” Paving a tribute to the achievements of New Zealand’s fighting forces and the forces of the Empire and of the Allies in all theatres, Mr. Fraser says that 1943 has been a memorable year in the progress ol the war. “The flow of the tide ol conflict has turned in favour of the United Nations. Italy has been knocked out as a belligerent. Germany is experiencing such blows as the Nazis never contemplated. Japan is clearly anxious at the magnitude of its hopeless attempt to subjugate the multitudinous races in the Far East and to loot the wealth of the Orient. Let us enter the New Year with grateful, but not foolish or blind optimism. Each month in the past year has added proof of the certainty of victory for the United Nations, but it is not just round the corner. Victory which was essential if mankind was to be saved, would take a very considerable time yet. It will involve much suffering, bloodshed, sacrifice and endurance. We must steel ourselves for the further struggle, which may extend over several years vet. I fervently prav that it will not. I hope that the most airy optimists are right, and that a speedier end than I can see at the moment will come to the hostilities. Therefore, I hope, as we all earnestly hope, that next Xmas Dav will dawn on a world at pfiace. But if not, we must still fight on. amt on until the world has been freed from Nazi Fascist tyrants, and tyranny which threatened to overwhelm mankind. This Dominion will continue to give its best in every way to win the war, and gain absolute security foi' our people. “As Prime Minister I take this opportunity to record mv gratitude for the support to our war effort in its many phases given bv all sections of the community. That loyal support must continue if we are to give our utmost, contribution in achieving victory. The immediate and sometimes selfish interests of this or that section must, be subordinated to the interests of our war effort, which carries with it not onlv the highest good of all our people, but the hope of the world.” LORD WAVELL’S VIEW. LONDON, December 20. A Calcutta message says that Lord Wavell, addressing the Associated Chambers of Commerce, declared he had every confidence in a victorious outcome of the war in Europe in the not too distant future. “How far away cannot vet be determined, but the end of the war in the west will be no more than the beginning of the war in the East. There can be rm security economic or military, until Japan i s thoroughly, defeated as Germany.”