N.Z. Approves Request Made By U.S. To Eire

Northern Advocate, 16 March 1944, Page 6

N.Z. Approves Request Made By U.S. To Eire

(P.A.) WELLINGTON, This Day. When asked to comment ca the situation arising out of the United States Government’s request that Axis diplomats be removed from Dublin, the Prime Minister (Mr. Fraser) stated that the New Zealand Government could not fail to be concerned about the existing position. “While appreciating the sincere and vigorous efforts to. institute security measures against espionage which was being made by the Government of Eire, whose friendship is greatly valued by the people of this country,’.’ Mr. Fraser said, “nevertheless the fact that information of military importance could be transmitted from German and Japanese Legations meant that the lives of New Zealanders, as well as those of other members of the British Commonwealth and United Nations, were involved, particularly those who were assembled in readiness for the second front.” For these reasons and since the cause of democracy and freedom for which the United Nations were fighting was also the cause of the Irish people, the New Zealand Government had felt it its duty to approve the United States’ request and also had expressed a hope that the Government of Eire would find it possible to accede to the representations which had been made.