MR FRASER’S TRIBUTE

Grey River Argus, 16 August 1945, Page 5

MR FRASER’S TRIBUTE

. To United! Nations p.A. WELLINGTON, August 15. A warm tribute was paid to all members of the United Nations by the Prime Minister, Mr Fraser, at a function held in his Department this afternoon to mark the occasion of Japan’s capitulation, the majority of Consulates represented in Wellington being present. , . Mr Fraser spoke eulogistically oi the way in which all members of the United Nations had contributed to victory. The United States Minister (Mr K. S. Patton), the High Commissioner for the United Kingdom (Sir P. Duff), the Chinese Consul (Feng Wang)', the High Commissioner for Australia (Hon. Mr d'Alton), the Consul for the Netherlands (Mr Vine Veno), and the High Commissioner for Canada (Mr Riddell), replied. Then the Leader of the Opposition Mr S. G. Holland, paid a tribute to the way in which Mr Fraser has led the Dominion during the war period, and at his call the gathering toasted Mr Fraser. This morning Mr Fraser, in announcing Japan’s capitulation, said: — Six years ago,, on behalf of Mr Savage, I announced that New Zealand wak at war. There have been six years of anxiety, and worry. New Zealand unhesitatingly and proudly stood by the side of the Mother Country to fight for world freedom, democracy and international justice. Our servicemen and servicewomen, after their magnificent record in every sphere of warfare, will now turn towards then homes and their families. The people can be assured that the Government will do everything possible to facilitate the earliest possible return of our Armed Forces from overseas. It is a triumph over a formidable and treacherous enemy which threatened our shores so closely, and the last of the members of that terrible, tuple tyranny of Nazi and Fascist Powers which aimed at world domination and dictatorship, and which has been crushed in the dust. New Zealand has played a full part in all the theatres from the Battle of the 1 Rivei Plate up to the present time. Mr Fraser recalled the deeds of the New Zealand Division in Africa and Italy, Greece and Crete. He concluded by paying a tribute to all three services for the gallant and effective part they had taken throughout six years of war.-