DEFENCE TALKS

New Zealand Herald, Volume 78, Issue 24103, 23 October 1941, Page 8

DEFENCE TALKS

MB, NASH IN AUSTRALIA

FIRST CONFERENCE HELD DEPARTURE FOR MELBOURNE (Reed. 12.40 a.m.) SYDNHY, Cct. -- The X o.w Zealand Minister of Finance, the Hon. W. Xash, arrived in Sydney to-dav for important defence talks with the Commonwealth Government and with the Commander-in-Chief of the British Forces in the Far East, Air Chief Marshal Sir Robert BrookePopham, who is visiting Australia. Mr. Xash had a long conference this afternoon with Sir Robert Brookc-Pop-ham and left by train to-night for Melbourne.

"I have come here," ho said, "to seo how our two countries can jointly and individually further our war interests and help to maintain and strengthen the British Commonwealth of Xations. My talks with the Australian Cabinet and Sir Robert BrookePopharn concern Empire defence and air transport in the Pacific. I want to find out how best the Pan American Clipper service can be extended in the joint interest of Australia and Xew Zealand." Mr., Xash said it was his opinion that the peoples bordering the Pacific had not fully realised the dangers confronting them, and until they did there was little hope of getting a 100 per cent war effort. Mr. Xash was welcomed on behalf of the Federal Government by the Minister of Information, Senator Ashley, who promised that the Australian Government would do its utmost to ensure that his mission was successful.