NORWAY AT PEACE

New Zealand Herald, Volume 79, Issue 24189, 3 February 1942, Page 6

NORWAY AT PEACE

QUISLING DECISION

I AUTHORITY EXCEEDED

TOOL OF ENEMY POWER

OSLO DEMONSTRATION

By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright .(Reed. 7.40 p.m.) LONDON, Feb. 1 Contingents of Hird Guards (Norwegian Nazi Storm Troops) converted Oslo into an armed camp for the ceremony of appointing Quisling Premier of Norway, says the Daily -Telegraph's Stockholm correspondent. The principal streets were decorated with Nazi and Norwegian flags, but the procession of Quisling supporters passed between skeleton crowds, because most of the citizens stayed home. German and Norwegian police wore eteel helmets and were armed with rifles and revolvers as a precaution against demonstrations. German troops were stationed at the city's outskirts. Akerbus Palace, where the ceremony was performed, was cordoned off. Forming New Government The Oslo radio announced that Quisling became Prime Minister at the request of his own Ministry. Josef Terboven, the Nazi Governor of Norway, accepted the resignations of the Ministers, and Quisling will form a new Government. In a speech at the investiture ceremony Quisling said that the foremost task was to conclude peace with Germany. Norwegians must realise that Germany's victory would be Norway's victory. Her defeat would also be Norway's defeat. The state of affairs permitting Sweden to represent the Norwegian citizens in countries with which Britain was at war on behalf of the Norwegian immigrant Government must be changed as soon as possible. Hint To Sweden Swedish public opinion, hp concluded, •undoubtedly realised that the time had come for Sweden to revise her attitude. Norway only desired good-neighbour-liness on the Scandinavian peninsula. Under the new constitution, the state of war has ended between Germany and Quislingite Norway, but General von Falkenhorst remains commander of the German garrison in Nor[Way." Terboven is believed to be returning to Germany and will be replaced by another Nazi adviser. The removal of Terboven emphasises Norway's "freedom," because his name ■was a synonym for oppression. Act Of a Traiitor The Norwegian Government in London issued the following statement: ''The Germans have appointed Quisling Premier. -He has always taken an active part on the side of the enemy an the fight against loyal Norwegians. His clique are traitors who systematically acted as informers. Quisling never had any support from the Norwegian people, he acted merely as the tool of the occupying powers, therefore the announcement of his appointment and ithe intention to conclude a peace with Germany on behalf of Norway is nothing but an attempted fraud. "Only the King of Norway and his Government, who are the legal representatives of the sovereign State of Norway, are empowered to conclude peace. The so-called peace treaty signed by Quisling would have no significance either constitutionally or under international law. Quisling has no position of authority, except that given by the occupying power. Any settlement made •with him is : a settlement with Germany's own representative." Ten Norwegian patriots are reported to have been executed by the German authorities in the past four days.

PLACING THE BLAME

GENEROUS GIFT

HUGE APPROPRIATION

PATRIOTS SINK SHIP

DEFENCE OF AUSTRALIA

BROADCASTING AND POLITICS SYDNEY, Feb. 2

Federal Ministers and former Ministers joined during the week-end in an acrimonious public .controversy, the inain issues of which were (1) responsibility for the present state of Australians defemaasV V<2). 1 .relations with Britain; (3) "mfths thitrthe Australian Broadcasting;' Commission's Canberra session was being iised for political purfoses. ' Recent statements by Mr; R. 6. j&lenzies and Mr. P. C. Spender deploring the tone of some of the criticism of Britain brought a reply from the Minister of Labour, Mr. Ward, who said ifchat Australians, are only beginning to realise that there are guilty men within these shores who have put Australia's Interests last. Australia would be militarily a powerful nation to-day if these people, many of them in high places, and with' power to do things, had f laced the interests of their own land efore the interests of others, j Mr. Fadden, replying to Mr. Ward, eaid he did not contend that the previous administrations did not err m some defence measures, but they certainly left a solid foundation on which the present Government could expeditiously build. The unfortunate aspect of the matter, Mr. Fadden added, was .that details of the attack on Mr. Spender and Mr. Menzies and other matters, of a purely political character were broadcast during the special A.B;C. Canberra session. It had become apparent that this session has developed Into a period during which blatant Government propaganda is put on the air. The Minister of Information, Mr. 'Ashley, claimed that the Canberra cession was an impartial one, and that those attacked had been contacted by the A.B.C. staff and replies were broadcast.

DEFENCE OF AUSTRALIA

[(Heed. 11.10 p.m.) MELBOURNE, Feb. 2 As an unconditional gift for defence purposes, Messrs. B. J. Ball and R. H, Lane,' directors of B. J. Ball, Limited, Melbourne, to-day handed the Prime Minister, Mr. J. Curtin, a cheque' for £9OOO. A' covering letter said: "We, admire the firm, unflinching attitude you have taken up and are .with you in everything you have said anadone regarding the dofenco of Australia. We believe there are thousands of Australian firms who, like ourselves, have an accumulation of funds they cannot with advantage use for trading." Mr. Curtin said he was deeply touched by the donors' spirit. The firm's lead coulck be taken as an example to all.

UNITED STATES NAVY jfEecd. 5.5 p.m.) "WASHINGTON, Feb. 1 The Senate Appropriations Committee has approved an unprecedented paya] Appropriations Bill now amounttog to approximately 26,500,000,000 dollars. The committee has amended the President's powers to transfer Bhips to the Ailies, limiting such to convoy and landing vessels.

pteed. 5.5_p.m.) LONDON, Feb. 1 An Italian ship was sunk at Piraeus krter an explosion due to the activity pf Greek patriots.