TIME IS VITAL

New Zealand Herald, Volume 79, Issue 24281, 23 May 1942, Page 6

TIME IS VITAL

ADMIRAL'S DECLARATION HIS FIRST INTERVIEW HERE TO FIGHT A WAR UNITED NATIONS' STRATEGY A press conference with representatives of New Zealand and overseas newspapers was granted yesterday by Vice-Admiral Robert L. Ghormley, U.S.N., who was recently appointed to take command of the South Pacific area, with headquarters in New Zealand. Admiral Ghormley intends to go to Wellington early next week, and he made it clear that he could not discuss the scope, organisation and details of his command until he has conferred with the Government and service chiefs. "I have been assigned to duty in the South Pacific area, and I am glad to be in New Zealand," said Admiral Ghormley. "The strategy of the United Nations fully appreciates the importance of New Zealand, the South Pacific and Australia in the winning of tne war. Time is vital, and I am here to fight a.war." Part of Area Visited Admiral Ghormley came to New Zealand by way of a few of the islands which have been included in his command area. He brought with him some of the American officers who will be on his staff. Some had already preceded him, but he said others were still to come, and, until ho had them all with him, he would not be able to say exactly how his command would be organised. He had not reached any decision about the situation of his command headquarters. Asked what liaison his command would have with General Douglas Mac Arthur, supreme Allied commander in the Anzac zone, which, it has been stated, does not include New Zealand, Admiral Ghormley said he would be operating under Admiral C. W. Nimitz, commanding the Pacific area, and would not be able to say what liaison there would be until details of his organisation and command had been completed. Urgency of Work Ahead

The fact that he is fully seized with the importance of his task and the urgency of the work ahead was shown not only by the fact that he has already spent as much time as possible visiting points in the command area, but also by the way in which he discussed his visit to YVellington. He said he wanted to get there as quickly as possible. He did not want to be grounded by the weather if it interrupted air travel, and would therefore probably travel by train. "Time is a serious element right now," he said, and added: "It is in any war." When he met the newspaper representatives and made it clear that there were many things he could not discuss, Admiral Ghormley gave an outline of what will be his attitude to publicity in the future. While apologising for the fact that at the present time he did not think he had any news to give, he said there might be occasions in the future when something should be said. One of the officers wmo was still to arrive would be in charge of public relations, and would arrange these matters. No Help to Enemy "However," said Admiral Ghormley, "I will never say anything that will be of any help or comfort to the enemy." Asked by an American newspaperman if he had any prediction to make of the next Japanese move, he said he certainly did not intend to make any prophecies. To a further question whether he had any opinion of the danger in which New Zealand was, he said he was not going to attempt to be expert on a subject which the people of New Zealand had been thinking about for a long time. Extremely approachable, and courteous and charming in his manner, Admiral Ghormley impressed as a man who is eager to get ahead with the task which has been set him. He is clearly an officer of very considerable experience, careful in what he says, not to be stampeded into a decision, but quick and alert in his movements and in his mind. He not ftnly sees the obvious, but also what lies behind it. His eyes are those of a man of action and a man of shrewd and competent planning. He has humour and determination; a man who will view a problem from all angles, plot his course carefully, make up his mind, and then stick to it. The keynote of his outlook on the job before him was given when he was asked by a photographer if he would pose with one of his staff officers and look as if he were enjoying a joke. While he was genial in his refusal, the admiral said: "This is no time for joking. All we have time for is winning the war."

SUGAR RATIONING COUPONS FOUR TO EIGHT (P.A.) WELLINGTON, Friday From the commencement of the second rationing period for sugar, Monday next, it has been decided that coupons 4 to 8 may be used at any time during the four-weekly period ending Juno 21. This alteration from past procedure has been made to reduce the work of retailers in cutting out coupons and also to save paper bags. NO STATIONMASTERS REMUERA AND GREEN LANE The Railway Department, in an effort to distribute its staff in the best way possible, has decided to withdraw the stationmasters from Remuera and Green Lane. Porters will, however, be in attendance, but the hours will be shortened and the station will close at three o'clock in the afternoon, instead of at five o'clock. Trains will still stop at these two stations, but there will be no attendants to assist in the handling of luggage. CITY FIRE-WATCHING EASING UP UNLIKELY (0.C.) WELLINGTON, Friday Commenting on suggestions that watching may be eased up, Mr. R. H. Nimmo, a member of the Wellington special committee, said that was definitely not so. Until the Chiefs of Staff, who were best able to form an opinion of the hazards facing the country, advised that those hazards had passed, there could be little likelihood of any cessation of watching. "As a member of the Fire-watching Committee," he said, "I wish to state that the Dominion Fire Controller, Mr. Girling Butcher, is far from satisfied ; with the standard of fire-watching throughout the Dominion, and the pres- ! ent indication is that, instead of slackening up, there will bo a tightening j up." The supply of fire-fighting equipment was still much below requirements, said Mr. Nimmo. FERRY STRIKES PIER After being extensively damaged ahout the bows following a collision with the concrete abutment beyond the city berth for the Northcote ferry steamers early on Thursday morning, the Devonport Steam Ferry Company's vessel Peregrine was moved to the Auckland Harbour Board's slipway at St. Mary's Bay yesterday to allow an examination to be made. No one was injured intthe accident, which occurred when the Peregrine was berthing. The rudder was carried away, but the extent of any ; further damage had not been ascertained yesterday.