No Dominion Has Excelled N.Z.’s War Effort—Fraser

Northern Advocate, 17 September 1941, Page 4

No Dominion Has Excelled N.Z.’s War Effort—Fraser

[Per Press Association. —Copyright] WELLINGTON, This Day. The Capital City welcomed the Prime Minister (Mr. Fraser), home from his trip abroad at a civic reception tendered him in the Town Hall last evening. Mr. Fraser dealt with aspects of his mission and in particular of his visits to the New Zealand soldiers serving overseas, and with the Pacific situation. Mr. Fraser was received with prolonged applause when he rose to reply. He thanked those who had carried on in his absence in the important work of Government. Telling of hfs visit to the New Zealand soldiers in the Middle East, Mr. Fraser said he did not hear from a wounded soldier or fit soldier a single complaint. Wavell’s Tribute In a message received on Sunday General Wavell said there never was a division that showed better discipline than the New Zealanders showed. That, Mr. Fraser said, could not have been discipline forced on them; it was intelligent, self-imposed discipline, with splendid co operation between officers and men. Mr. Fraser said he could say no other Dominion had excelled New Zealand either in the promptitude with which it stepped into the war effort or in the energy with which it carried it on. Appreciated in Britain “I do not want to say we cannot do more," he continued, “because as long as there is any energy we can use we can still do better, but our efforts are appreciated and valued by Mr. Churchill, the War Cabinet, the Government and the whole population of England. What we have done here is known and appreciated." Mr. Fraser said he had made it his special business to inquire into the position of prisoners of war. Parcels being made up by hundreds of women workers in London were being sent into prison camps regularly through the International Red Cross in Geneva. He made it plain in Britain that Maori and Pakeha in New Zealand were brothers and no distinction was being made in the treatment of both as prisoners of war. Inquiries showed that the food and parcels sent were reaching the prisoners of war. Russian Position Mr. Fraser said he had no doubt of the anxiety of the British and United States Government to give every possible assistance to Russia. He believed that even if the Russians had to retreat from Kiev and Leningrad and Moscow, so long as they maintained their line intact, Hitler was already beaten. This view was held authoritatively in Britain. If trouble did come, Mr. Fraser concluded, if our shores were attacked and if we had to rally to the defence of our own country here, then all he could ask and pray was that we in this country would prove worthy of the brave boys on the land, sea and air who had gone from our shores and were fighting for us.