THE PACIFIC

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume 78, 28 June 1943, Page 5

THE PACIFIC

IMPROVED SITUATION AUSTRALIAN VIEWPOINT DR. EVATT’S BROADCAST (Rec. 9.40 a.m.) London, June 27. “The news from Australia is better and is going to be better still,” said the Australian Minister of External Affairs, Dr. Evatt. “Not only on land and in the air, but also on the sea, things are going to be much more unpleasant for the enemy than they have been for some time.” Broadcasting, Dr. Evatt told the British people there had been a notable improvement in the war situation from the Australian viewpoint in the last year. As Japan moved southward 15 months ago the fate of Australia and New Zealand looked desperate. However, with the help from England and America both British Dominions remained inviolate and the position in the Pacific had now changed from one of the deepest gloom to one of hope and reasonable confidence. “Mr Churchill’s leadership in your perils is paralleled by his understanding of ours,” said Dr. Evatt. "Recently after the Washington conferences he and President Roosevelt foretold increasing offensive action against Japan in the Pacific. But just as there is really only one enemy there is really only one front—although there be many frontiers. That front is wherever our enemies still stand. The largest of the frontiers to which free men have rallied to defend our cause is the great frontier of the Pacific. Australians with New Zealanders help to hold that frontier with a united purpose. We know supreme war strategy demands an overwhelming attack on chosen points. But we also are sure that while we break one part of the line the enemy must not only be held at all points but even pressed back. That is why the Pacific frontiers must be supported and developed. We shall reap the harvest from the great victory in Africa and blows agajpst Europe only if we can hold the enemy in the Pacific and gradually drive him back towards the land where his treachery was born.” WAR IN NEW GUINEA Dr. Evatt continued: “Therefore our objective in Australia is not security for ourselves alone, so much as increasing insecurity for Japan.” Dr. Evatt told listeners that Australian airmen serving with the R.A.F. greatly outnumbered those serving with their own R.A.A.F. Giving details of the war in New Guinea, he said that at one time 80 per cent, of Allied troops were suffering from malaria but numerically the enemy’s total casualties were twice as heavy as ours. “The Dominions have earned the right to be heard in planning for peace,” claimed Dr. Evatt. “After the last war the Allied Nations had a chance to establish true freedom but we fumbled and missed great opportunities. We neglected our duty towards the youth of our own countries. We allowed unemployment, the dole and poverty to haunt both the last generation and the present. And if we failed to perform our duty to our neighbours even within our own countries still less did We perform it towards the weak, helpless and .poor of the world. To-day we fight for another chance—and we cannot ease up either in Europe or in the Pacific.” —P.A. JAP POSITIONS BOMBED SOLOMONS AREA AND ALEUTIANS FIRES STARTED (Rec. 11.30 a.m.) Rugby, June 27. The United States Navy Department reports: “In the South Pacific on 26th June.fp formation of Liberators attacked Japanese positions on Ballale Island in the Shortland area. A number of fires was started. At the same time another formation of Liberators attacked Japanese positions south of Shortland Island. Results were not observed. Later, dive-bombers, escorted by fighters, attacked a village in the Kolombangara islands. No planes were lost “In the North Pacific on 25th June medium bombers, escorted by fighters, made six attacks against Kiska. Hits were scored in the main camp area among aircraft positions.”—B.O.W.