ROLE IN FUTURE ACTION

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume 80, 25 May 1945, Page 4

ROLE IN FUTURE ACTION

GOVERNMENT WAITING FOR REPORT NEED TO FIGHT IN PACIFIC STRESSED Hamilton. May 24. 'lhc future of the New Zealand division overseas was discussed by the acting-Prime Minister, Mr Nash, speaking to a capacity attendance at Hamilton to-night. The decision in respect of New Zealand’s part in the war against Japan would be made by the N«w Zealand Government, he said, not by anyone in London or Washington. The Government had, however, sought the views of the combined chiefs of staff and would give full ronsideratiop to their advice. The combined chiefs of staff had pro. mised to report to the Prim« Minister giving their views on New Zealand'! most effective role. They would, of course, weigh up the various factors, such as numbers, fresh personnel, the relative value of New Zealand’s possible contribution on land, sea and in the air against Japan, and the need for food production to feed Britain and Europe and the forces in the Pacific. Not till this report had been considered, he said, would New’ Zealand be in a position to make a decision. In the meantime arrangements wer« being made at an accelerated pace, said Mr Nash, to bring back to New Zealand all long service personnel. There could be no question of New Zealand saying “We have done enough. We will leave our allies to finish the Pacific war.” Three years ago, said the Minister. New Zealand was under the immediate threat of Japanese invasion. The Australians in New Guinea, the Americans at Guadalcanar. Midway, and the Coral Sea, stemmed the tide and saved New Zealand. "They fought for us then. Now. we must fight for them as well as for ourselves. The Pacific war is our war,** said Mr Nash. ‘Geographically at least, it is far nearer to us than the European war.” No country was more concerned than New Zealand with the crush .n* of Japanese militarism. New Zealand needed security in the Pacific if she were going to get on with the task of building in these islands a just society free from fear and want. looking to future If New Zealand deserted her allies * low . could she expect them to help her if she was menaced by an aggressor i n 10 years’ time, and without that help what hope would a country as small as New Zealand have of defending herself? What influence would New Zealand have in determining the peace settlement for the Pacific, if she did not share in the fighting this theatre? he asked.

At present New Zealand, though a small nation, was playing a promiuent part at the San Francisco, due in part to the personal qualities of Mr Fraser, and New Zealand’s views were heard with respect because of her magnificent war record. New Zealand, said Mr Nash, had come out of the war in better shape than any other country. It had not experienced the horrors of a bombjng invasion or enemy ocupation. Her citizens had plenty of food and clothing They suffered considerable losses in killed and wounded overseas, but in comparing their war casualty list with that of other countries it should be remembered that they had suffered no civilian losses. They had no knowledge of even the military losses of European countries such as Greece. Poland, Russia and France, while Australia had classed as prisoners of war in Japanese hands some 17,000 taken at Singapore, many of whom were already dead In this war, atjded the Minister. New . ??, a l and h od lost 8334 dead 'and 18.051 wounded, but-in the last war her losses vere 10,302 dead and 41.262 wounded. In the United Kingdom casualties in the forces, among civilians and merchants seamen amounted to 306,501 (.641 per cent, of the population). New Zealand’s 9334 represented .571 per cent, of the population.