All Must Help To Make Critical Tide Of War Turn

Northern Advocate, 9 March 1942, Page 2

All Must Help To Make Critical Tide Of War Turn

-FRASER

rSpeifial to “Northern Ad'vocate”l WELLINGTON, This Day

“In the last two-and-a-half years we have- passed through many critical situations. We are passing now through the most critical situation we have endured in the Pacific." These statements were made by the Prime Minister (Mr Fraser) in a national broadcast on the war situation last night.

“We will be faced with even more critical and dangerous times before the tide of war turns,” he continued, “but turn it will and we must help to make it turn."

Ail knew as well as he did, Mr Fraser said, that the people were now facing dangers they had never known in these islands before. For weeks past the situation in the Pacific had been growing rapidly worse, so that complacency and easy optimism were impossible. Nevertheless there was no need for ill-founded pessimism.

Encouraging Response

Speaking of New Zealand and the situation that had developed, Mr Fraser said that every possible step had been taken by the War Cabinet and the Government to accelerate the expansion of the armed forces and to enable them to meet successfully any attempt at attack or invasion. At the same time essential war production for the country’s own needs had been pushed forward with full vigour. without diminishing overseas commitments. New Zealand had been on a full war footing since December last, when Japan entered the war. She undertook both to defend her own shores and those of the vital Pacific territories for which she was responsible. In providing for her own defence, both short-term and long-term measures were set in motion. Needa have been pressed in Washington by Mr Nash and in London by Mr Jordan, and the military liaison officers. The War Cabinet was placing the Dominion’s opinions, appreciations and requirements frankly and fully before Mr Churchill and Mr Roosevelt, and the response has been most encouraging.

“Much material has already arrived and is in use bv the New Zealand forces,” said Mr Fraser. “More is coming, and it can confidently be said that this flow will be accelerated and expanded to meet the growing threat to New Zealand's safety and the vital part which this Dominion will play in the general strategy of the war in the Pacific.

“Mr Sullivan and Mr Coates are in Australia, and they have had important discussions with the Prime Minister of Australia (Mr Curtin), the War Cabinet and War Council.

“Decisions of far-reaching importance have been arrived at, and, in conjunction with the United Kingdom and the -United

States, plans have been laid, not only for defence of the Anzac area, but for the commencement of offensive actions Anzac Countries Will Stand

It was no longer only a question of defending New Zealand, said Mr Fraser, but one of maintaining an essential of the Allies’ line of defence and attack. It was imperative that both New Zealand and Australia be held, and with the Dominion’s own forces

and the co-operation of Britain and the United States they would be held. But the <people of this country must be prepared to work and to sacrifice as never before.

Mr Fraser expressed his absolute Caith in Britain and his complete confidence in the United States.

To the brave people of Holland and of the Netherlands East Indies the Prime Minister tendered sincere sympathy on the heavy blow that had fallen on them. The Dominion’s people felt the greatest admiration for nil of them, from their courageous Liei.t.-Governor-General down to the humblest Javanese. New Zealand would be proud to participate in the restoration of the Netherlands and its dependencies to a position once more of a free, independent, sovereign State. Hats came off and hearts went out to General MacArthur and his band of heroes in the Philippines. Their deeds of daring had covered them with immortal glory. Australia had borne her hardships with a fortitude and dignity worthy of the Commonwealth, and was now ready to meet the invader on her own shores.