TROOPS ABROAD

New Zealand Herald, Volume 80, Issue 24535, 18 March 1943, Page 4

TROOPS ABROAD

MAINTAINING FORCES MR. COATES' CONFIDENCE FUTURE OF PACIFIC UNIT CS.R.) WELLINGTON, Wednesday Confidence that the Dominion could maintain the Middle East Division and the Pacific force for the next 12 months and at the same time maintain essential production was expressed by the Minister of Armed Forces and War Co-ordination, the Rt. Hon. J. G. Coates, during the manpower debate in the House of Representatives to-day. Mr. Coates, who .miphasised that the American authorities had asked for the Pacific force, said that its presence at the outer perimeter of the Pacific system meant greater flexibility and that elbow room was possible in the proposed regrouping of the armed forces within the Dominion. Referring to the general strategic picture of the war, Mr. Coates said that it had been hoped that before now the situation in North Africa would have been cleaned up. It was obvious that a major tussle was developing in Tunisia. A Long, Hard War There was no doubt that the Allies were in for a long, hard war, he added. He felt that Parliament and the country were anxious to play the fullest part in the defeat of the enemy. Mr. J. A. Lee (Democratic LabourGrey Lynn): Consistent with national survival. Mr. Coates: Yes. The Minister added that there were early prospects of certain major events in the Northern Hemisphere. Meanwhile, the reverses in Europe, particularly on the Russian front, and the swaying fortunes of Allied arms must have an influence in the Pacific. Could it be said, he asked, that any island in the Pacific was free from attack ? Could any member say that the Japanese, a cunnihg, ruthless enemy, might not strike out unexpectedly and bend the Allied Pacific lines? Mr. H. E. Combs (Government — Wellington Suburbs): Are you not arguing that there should be no relaxation here? Mr. Coates: Not at all. The presence of our force in the Pacific has a direct bearing on our ability to regroup our forces within New Zealand. Mr. W. M. D. Denham (Government —lnvercargill): Would you suggest that we withdraw our men from the Pacific? Maximum Effort Necessary Mr. Coates: I am trying to point out that it would be wrong to assume that the Axis Powers have been materially weakened. Japan has hardly been scratched yet. She is immensely strong and has not yet hit out with all her strength. , , The Minister said that many people were contending that the Dominion was doinir too much, but this was a dan-; rrerous line to follow. Wo might be caught on the hop. It was true that New Zealand was a small nation, but it had played a part of which it could be proud. The war was going to be more difficult in the future than ! hitherto and nothing less than a con- ■ tinned maximum effort would do in i facing the enemy. The Hon. F. Langstone (Govern- : ment—Waimarino): Won't there be any i compensating factors? i Mr. Coates replied that the compensation would be the preservation of the country and the people. The Middle East Division Referring to the New Zealand forces in the Middle East, Mr. Coates said they were an integral part ot the Eighth Army and it would be no exaggeration to say that they were the very spirit of that army. If New Zealaud were to consider bringing its forces back it would dishearten the Eighth Army. . A Government Member: Do they want to come back? Mr. Coates: No, not collectively, but some who have been there a long time and who are tired should be returned. Provision had been made, Mr. Coates continued, for reinforcing the Middle East forces for the next 12 months and also to replace tired men. It was the wish of Parliament when the future of the New Zealand forces was last discussed that that policy should be pursued and that they remain where they were in the meantime- , r, rr The Prime Minister, the Rt. Hon. P. Fraser: That was unanimous. Mr. Coates: That is so. Mr. W. T. Anderton (GovernmentEden) : That was in consideration that only a brigade went to the Pacific? The Prime Minister: No qualifications at all. Dealing with the Pacific torces, Mr. Coates said that the Dominion also had the manpower to maintain those forces for 12 months ahead. Replacement requirements had been worked out from information about the manpower needs of other forces fighting in the Pacific. Pacific Policy Defended "Can I put it to members," said Mr ' Coates, "whether it is the wish of the ' House that our forces in the Pacific be brought back?" There was no comment | from anv member. Mr. Coates said it appeared to him . sound policy to maintain the Dominion's forces in the Pacific. By hav- . ing them out on the Pacific defence perimeter the country had more flexibilitv in regrouping its forces in the . country. The present proposals were largely possible because the New Zealand forces were in the Pacific. Discussing a recent visit to the New • Zealand forces in the Pacific, Mr. ' Coates said the men were asking what they were to do there They wanted to know whether they were to continue building camps, making road* • and unloading ships, or whether they were going to fight. 'I hev felt that there was nothing more trying or bor--1 ing for essentially fighting men than to fie engaged on duties which they , I considered could he done by 'ahourers ; Wanted To Be Fighting Men

They were well'and happy, but il was Hear they wanted to become fighting men. Tlie best news they could, hear would be that the war was over, and the next best that they were to lie used as a fighting unit. It would be unfair to them to leave them as garrison troops and in their own interests they should be built into a fighting force. With the Pacific force where it was New Zealand was safer than if they had not been sent there, Mr. Coatcs said. The chiefs of the fighting services were of opinion that New Zealand would have three months' warning of a Japanese break-through and this would give ample time for the recall of the resewe forces from industry to I lie Armv SCHOOL EQUIPMENT Following representations made by education boards and school committees, the Minister of Education, the Hon. H. 0. R. Mason, has authorised the spending of the grant to schools for incidental purposes on various items of equipment and apparatus. An additional list of items includes teaching aids, sueh as film strips and cinematograph projectors, physical education equipment, handwork material and infant room equipment.

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