MR. FRASER IN LONDON

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVI, Issue 23490, 30 October 1939, Page 8

MR. FRASER IN LONDON

Charged with the duty of determining how New Zealand's contribution can best be co-ordinated with the Empire's war effort as a whole, the Minister of Health, Mr. Fraser, has arrived in London, where he will attend, in company with Ministers from tho other Dominions, an important series of discussions with members of the British Government. The task confronting Mr. Fraser is one of great magnitude, particularly in view of the fact that, due to the existence of internal difficulties which the war has served to accentuate, New Zealand is less fortunately placed than other Empire countries for the fulfilment of the tasks that she is eager to undertake. The responsibilities of the Dominions, as suggested by the British Government shortly after the outbreak of war, are firstly the defence of their own teri-itories ; secondly the supply of all surplus foodstuffs and other essential commodities; and thirdly the recruiting and training of units for service overseas, with particular reference at the moment to specialists for the naval and air forces. Even under these three main headings, there is an urgent need for co-operative action in accordance with a well-defined plan and for that reason alone the deliberations in London may have a pronounced effect on the future conduct of the war. The magnificent scheme by which Canada will become the air training base of the Empire affords an outstanding illustration of what can be done by the co-operative method and it is not too much to hope that similar principles will be applied in other directions, with New Zealand, through her Ministerial representative in London, pledging her full strength in the task ahead.