PREMIER VISITS SICK.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LXI, Issue 144, 20 May 1941, Page 5

PREMIER VISITS SICK.

WITH TROOPS IN EGYPT

(N.Z.E.F. Official News Service.) CAIRO, May 19. Making ifc his first concern, the Prime Minister of New Zealand (lit. Hon. P. Fra'scr) has been very busily engaged since his arrival in Egypt visiting patients in New 'Zealand hospitals and speaking to them. Many of those he saw were wounded in Greece, and for these he had a special word. His programme at the hospitals of the New Zealand Expeditionary Force has been a strenuous one, but this has not altered his intention of seeing and speaking to as many as possible who are ill or wounded. During an interval at one hospital the Prime Minister said he wished to take the opportunity io thank the medical and nursing staffs of the New Zealand Expeditionary Force for the very fine work they were doing for the New Zealand troops in the Middle East. They were providing a very real and tangible link with home. CO RDIA L ATMOSPHER E.

The Prime Minister also called on the Premier of Egypt (Hussein Sirry Pasha), who in return called on Mr Fraser at the British Embassy in the evening.

Cordial messages of goodwill wore exchanged with the New Zealand Forces Club in Cairo, which has been open lor some time now, and last evening the Prime Minister saw lor himself the very line facilities that have been made available to the soldiers while they are on leave in the eitv.

The Prime Minister also visited the Kiwi Club, whose object is to provide recreational facilities for soldiers who are convalescing in hospital. It has succeeded admirably and is a firm favourite with the men- who are stationed in the vicinity and a notable example of the fine work that is being done by voluntary helpers for New Zealand troops everywhere. Speaking in Cairo. Mr Fraser said that the Now Zealand troops had come back from Greece with their fails up. They, were thoroughly convinced that they could wipe out Ihe Germans anywhere if the odds were more, or less equal, says a London cable.

CORRECT DECISION

(Roe. 9.30 a.m.) LONDON, May 19 Mr Fraser said the decision to send the Expeditionary Force to Greece had been absolutely right. Asked whether the situation in the Pacific had improved lie replied that if he knew what happened when Mi Matsuokn (Japanese Foreign Minister) and Hitler met lie could answer that question.