MR NASH IN LONDON

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume 79, 10 February 1944, Page 2

MR NASH IN LONDON

NEW ZEALAND’S WAR EFFORT (Rec 11.10 a.m.) London, Feb. 9. “I came to London to give a New Zealand picture of its war effort in relation to the war efforts firstly of the United Nations as a whole and secondly of the British Commonwealth,” said the Hon. W. Nash, N.Z. Minister to Washington, at a press conference. He added: “In the past few months I have gained first-hand knowledge of the war efforts of New Zealand, Australia and the United States and now I want an up-to-date view of Britain’s and the United Nations’ present position. We New Zealanders want to be sure that our war effort is directed into the most useful channels. We have soldiers in the Mediterranean and in the Pacific and sailors and airmen in all theatres of the war. We are committed to supply foodstuffs, and we want to make sure that our national effort is distributed to achieve the best results.”

Mr Nash said he was also investigating the financial position, because New Zealand in the next few years had a number of loans maturing. Commenting on the Pacific war, Mr Nash said distances made it a terrific job. He paid a tribute to the Australian and American soldiers, airmen and sailors for the wonderful jobs they had done in New Guinea and the islands. “I stayed at Tarawa overnight a few days after the Americans took the island. I assure you they did a remarkably “fine job.” he added. Mr Nash expressed satisfaction with the Australian-New Zealand agreement, and said Australia owed a great debt to Mr Curtin.