SECOND FRONT

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume 77, 11 August 1942, Page 2

SECOND FRONT

VIEWS OF MR NASH SPEECH AT BIRTHPLACE GREAT OVATION ACCORDED London, Aug, 9. Mr Walter Nash. N.Z. Minister to Washington, is visiting his birthplace at Kidderminster, of which he is a freeman. He made his first and probably only public speech of his present visit to England. He declared that the current demand 'or a second front was really a demand for a fifth front. In New Guinea the Japanese were only 200 miles from Australia. If they directed against Australia forces as st ng as those which conquered Malaya . d Burma the position would be most difficult. “I think we ought to attack. We cannot afford to let the Japanese consolidate their gains. The next front was comprised of China, Burma and India. We ought to do everything to enable China to continue her fight against the Japanese. China says she wants help and also a second front in Burma to enable her to continue fighting. We want to be strong in India if we are going to prevent the Japanese dominating India and China. The next front was the Middle East, where Field Marshal Rommel was attempting to reach the Suez. We ought to do everything to drive through from El Alamein. “Those are there fronts,” Mr Nash added. “It is just physically impossible on the evidence of supplies—magnificent as they are—for all fronts to be so equipped that rll can immediately start an offensive. Yet you cannot allow them to lie idle. The demand for a second front in Europe is really a fifth front. Russia is being gradually overwhelmed but is putting up a magnificent fight. Remember she has saved us.” (Loud cheers.) Continuing. Mr Nash said he did not know what would have happened if the Germans instead of attacking the Russians had turned against the Mediterranean and the Suez. It might have extended the war ten years if they had done that. Referring to the second front demand he said: “Nobody will tell you where or when it will begin. It ought to take place if we are going to save Russia at the earliest possible moment. It will take place, but when I do not know.” SHIPPING POSITION BAD “The shipping position is really bad. Our losses in the present year had been terrific,” said Mr Nash. “They are slightly better now than a month ago and steps are being taken ultimately to remove the U-boat menace. We are in a dangerous spot at present. I think it will be more dangerous before this year is concluded, but I hope next year we will be able to take the initiative in an offensive and while it may take time I believe we will win through.’' PRAISE FOR NEW ZEALAND Other points made by Mr Nash included: “I have never known better things said about New Zealand than by members of the War Cabinet I met in England in the past fortnight. Their praise is real. It is a lie to say Britain’s troops do the recreating and Dominion troops do the advancing. Twothirds of the forces fighting in Libya and Egypt since May were sent from Britain. That fact is not known anywhere. It ought to be better known. “There are more planes in Hawaii to-day than before Pearl Harbour was bombed. The Americans have practically restored their fleet there. “Half of Europe is starving to-day. China is more than starving.” Mr Nash again stated his desire for a world war council and a reconstruction development council. Mr Nash said there was a certain section in the United States with a strain of world idealism higher than in any other part of the world. # They feel they are in the war not to restrict production after the war for the purpose of maintaining prices and letting people starve and go hungry but to procure the maximum production. THREE AFFIRMATIONS Mr Nash ended his speech with three affirmations: “I want to affirm and get all the people to affirm firstly, that no soldier shall be worse off because he went away to fight for his country; secondly, nobody to be better off because he stayed behind; thirdly, nobody ought to use the war as an instrument for profit. I affirm that in the new world which we can build if we will, that we can so order things that goods produced from resources of the earth shall be made available to everyone who in turn is willing to give service within their capabilities.” Mr Nash received a great ovation. He stayed at Birmingham during the week-end with his brother and sister. —P.A. Special Correspondent.