PACIFIC AREA

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVII, Issue 23773, 28 September 1940, Page 12

PACIFIC AREA

DEFENCE OUTLOOK DOMINION'S POSITION LORD LOTHIAN'S ADDRESS By Telegraph—Press Association —Copyright NEW YORK, Sept. '2d The Marquess of Lothian, British Ambassador to Washington, in a Dominion Day address in the New Zealand Pavilion at the World's Fair, said: "I doubt if many Americans realise the significance of New Zealand and Australia from the viewpoint of United States security and defence of the Pacific. "Some regard them as isolated nations, looking for help from outsido. it is true that both rely mainly on the British Navy for long-distance defence, but both are able to contribute much for the security of the Pacific from their own strength. "Their Air Forces alone are turning out 25,000 trained airmen annually. If , the dictators challenge the security of | Singapore, the Dutch islands or the Southern Pacific, they will encounter formidable resistance from New Zealand's and Australia's ever-growing and organised strength. "New Zealand inaugurated half a century ago many social reforms which are now commonplace in every modern democracy. The Dominion has not succumbed to the philosophy of pacifism in international affairs or tho preoccupation for individual comfort which rotted many democracies. "It is making efforts much more even than in the World War to defend free civilisation against totalitarian aggression." Lord Lothian outlined the war efforts of New Zealand and Australia, and recalled that the Achilles was manned by New Zealanders. MIDDLE EAST ITALIANS HARRIED SEA AND AIR ATTACKS ENEMY DESTROYER SUNK (Received September 27, 7.15 p.m.) LONDON. Sept. 20 A Royal Air Force communique issued at Cairo states: "A large force of bombers severely damaged the harbour and foreshore at Tobruk, in Libya, directly hitting the barracks, wharf buildings and motor transport, and starting a largo fire north of tho wharves. All the raiders returned safely. "We reconnoitred the Western Desert and effectively raided Assab, Macacca and Berbera. "\\ e also attacked Metemma, damaging tlireo grounded aeroplanes and starting a tire which was visible for 50 miles." A British naval communique issued at Cairo states: "Our . naval forces again successfully attacked the Sidi Barrani area in the early bonis of Wednesday, and a large fire, accompanied by a series of explosions, was observed. The firo was still burning two hours later."

A Rome communique states: ''A British submarine sank an Italian torpedo boat destroyer in the lonian Sea. The majority of the crew were saved. "The British renewed their air bombardment on Tobruk. Some private buildings and a field, hospital were damaged, causing casualties of five dead and ten wounded. British naval units shelled Sidi Barrani. "Italian aeroplanes attacked a convoy in the Red Sea. We also bombed tho defences at Otrub, in the Sudan. JAPANESE POLITICS NEW NATIONAL STRUCTURE APPOINTMENT OF MANAGERS (Received September 28, 3.15 a.m.) TOKIO, Sept. 27 The Japanese Cabinet has announced the appointment of 10 permanent managers for the establishment ot the new national structure, including three Axis sympathisers, Mr. Siego Nakano, Colonel K-iugoro Hashimoto and the president of the Domoi news agency, Mr. lnosuke Furuno. . Count Yoriyasu Anma, a friend oi Prince Konoye, the Prime Minister, has been appointed director-general.