EFFORTS TO CATCH RAIDERS

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXXIII, 11 December 1940, Page 4

EFFORTS TO CATCH RAIDERS

MINISTER’S STATEMENT CO-ORDINATION BETWEEN NAVAL AND AIR FORCES IN DIFFICULT TASK (United Press Association] WELLINGTON, This Day. “The most complete co-ordination exists between the Naval and Air Forces, and in every case where the presence of a raider has been suspected or known immediate action has been taken,” said the Minister | of Defence, Mr Jones, when referring in an interview last night to ) numerous inquiries which have been received regarding the recent ! regrettable loss of an overseas ship near the coast of New Zealand. The care with which the disposition of the ships of the New Zealand Naval Forces was planned, having regard to the whereabouts of raiders so far as they were known, was also mentioned by the Minister, who said that the proportionate losses of shipping in the Pacific Ocean and Tasman Sea had been less than in other parts of the world. The thinking public will realise,” said Mr Jones, “that it is quite impossible in reply to letters, or in a public statement ,to give any details of the measures taken for the protection of shipping. It may be stated, however, that the disposition of H.M. ships of the New Zealand Naval Forces is careI fully planned. having regard to the whereabouts of raiders so far as they are known, and taking into account all intelligence received, and existing knowledge of the methods adopted by raiders. “On the occasion in question, H.M. ships of the New Zealand Naval Forces disposed precisely where it was thought that they would be in the best position to intercept the raider, whose presence in Australian or New Zealand waters was known and the dispositions which were taken as soon as the raider alarm was received were such as to ensure, as far as possible, that the raider might be caught, and if survivors were afloat in open boats that they should be rescued speedily. “As no one can calculate the move- ' ments of a raider immediately after her presence has become known as the re- » su.t of a capture. ’ said Mr Jones, “it ■ will be appreciated that unless very ’ large naval and air forces are available chances of a successful interception are : bound to be slight. This applies not . only to New Zealand but to all parts i of the British Commonwealth. The Navy hag to guard British and Allied shipping all over the world and is endeavouring to do so with the forces at its disposal. * “New Zealand has a share of the 1 warships at the disposal of the Ad- | miralty proportionate to the Admiralty’s estimate ot our needs as compared with ' the requirements of other parts of the - British Commonwealth and the war zones. Every suitable craft which can possibly be pressed into service for . minesweeping and patrol work has already been taken over, even to the [ detriment in some cases of trade. “In actual fact, the proportionate losses of shipping in the Pacific Ocean and Tasman Sea have been less than ) in other parts of the world. “The most complete co-ordination ex- ’ ists between the naval and air forces, and in every case where the presence of a raider has been suspected -or r known immediate action has been 5 taken The public can rest assured that i the Naval and Air Operations Staffs . are continuously on duty and that the i War Cabinet arid Chiefs of Staff never i relax their attention from this pro- . ble-m.”