SOUTH PACIFIC COMMAND.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LXII, Issue 292, 9 November 1942, Page 4

SOUTH PACIFIC COMMAND.

To the statement of the Minister of Defence showing how the New Zealand Forces have been fitted into the framework of the South Pacific Command there has been added an important informative review of the arrangement by Lieut.-General Puttick. This country has desired unity of command in the Pacific zone, but it has been divided into the South-West Pacific under General MacArthur and the South Pacific area now under Admiral Halsey, the latter operating from headquarters in this Dominion and including New Caledonia, Fiji, the Solomons, and other island groups. We have therefore a considerable part in the defence of this area and General Puttick puts the position concisely when he says that, from the moment the United States assumed responsibility for the Pacific, it was recognised that unless that responsibility included New Zealand there was risk of divided control. That

has been obviated, but New Zealand still retains certain responsibilities. The country’s defence, the despatch of forces into the Pacific, in their adequacy are the Government’s responsibility, General Puttick points out, and the Chiefs of Staff are the Government’s re-, sponsible advisers. They also consult with the United States Command and carry out its directions as approved by the Government, and have the further responsibility of home defence measures while guided by advice as to the strategical situation from the American Command. In another important respect the Government conducts the training of its Forces, but special training to fit the troops to co-operate with the American forces will be assisted by American experience. The value of such an arrangement will be readily appreciated. The policy adopted bv the two countries is one to be freely accepted. The United States Command is handling the Pa-

cific situation ns a whole, and in General Putt ink’s words it is “in the best position to weigh

up the various considerations.”