WAR’S DURATION

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXXIII, 10 January 1940, Page 4

WAR’S DURATION

GENERAL RELUCTANCE TO [ FORECAST MR ERASER'S COMMENT [United Press Association] WELLINGTON. This Day. "1 found a general reluctance in every kuarter, whether informed or otherwise, to attempt to forecast either the course or the intensity of the hostilities the period involved, or indeed, as yet, the opposing forces,” said the Deputy Prime Minister, Mr Fraser, in a national broadcast from Wellington last evening. Mr Fraser recently returned to the Dominion after attending Ihe conference of Dominion Ministers in London. "The war has up to the present been one of constant surprises both in the method of its conduct and in the countries involved,” Mr Fraser said, "and it seems to be generally accepted that the position has not yet fully developed. and that while any attempt to forecast the future is impossible, the feeling was that it is best to prepare for a long and bitter struggle. "At the same time this does not necessarily imply that the struggle must be long or bitter. In the absence, however, of any degree of certainty, it is generally accepted that the greatest scale of preparations that is within our compass appears to be indicated. WAR CABINET CONFERENCE "The overseas Ministers were met with every consideration, frankness and helpfulness by the British Government, and the various departments and we were taken into the confidence of the War Cabinet, the heads of the fighting forces, and. indeed, everybody concerned. “1 came away from Britain after having Lac the opportunity of meeting, in addition to responsible Cabinet Ministers, men occupying the highest British command positions, such as General Ironside, Lord Gort, General Dill, General Brooke, and others, in the Navy, Army and Air Force in Britain and on the Western Front, with a feeling of confidence inspired by their great ability, obvious efficiency, quiet assurance and modesty. The French commanding officers, including General Gamelin, and indeed the whole French forces we came in contact with also inspired great confidence. In France, as in Great Britain, the greatest unanimity exists in the nation, and there is confidence as to the final result.”