INDIAN DIVISION

New Zealand Herald, Volume 80, Issue 24555, 10 April 1943, Page 4

INDIAN DIVISION

DESERT OPERATIONS NOTABLE DASH SHOWN (N.Z.E.F. Official Service) CAIRO, April 7 The Indian Division, which is fighting in the forefront of the Battle ot Tunisia with the Eighth Army, played an important part in the operations against the Mareth positions. It operated with conspicuous clash and vigour, and its patrol work was of the highest order. Gurkhas used kukris to good effect at night. It is officially announced from Algiers that the Indian Division is fighting alongside two British and one New Zealand Divisions, and Greek and lighting French troops. The Indians cooperated by protecting the flank of the New Zealanders in Mat-mat a, and secured a gorge, enabling reinforcements ana supplies to be rushed through for the New Zealanders, who were making a flank attack against Rommel's positions. Before securing the pass, the Indians had to take two mountain peaks, which were known to be held by tho enemy. After heavy fighting in the dark on crags 1500 ft. up, the positions were occupied. Further progress was impeded by demolitions. Heroic work was done by sappers, who cleared the road ol rocks and mines. The enemy retreated from their post and over 'IOO prisoner.were taken by the Indians. Once again Indian troops had played their part in a smashing victory over Rommel, as in the past at El Alamein and other places. WAR DEBT TO BRITAIN MR. LANGSTONE'S VIEWS (0.C.) TAUMARUNUI, Friday The wisdom of the Government paying off £20,000,000 of the New Zealand war debt under the Memorandum of Security Agreement, with Britain is questioned by the Hon. Langstone, Government member for Waimarino. "It is generally understood that in this global war there will be a cancellation of war debts," Mr. Langstone said, "and, in so far as New Zealand pays off its overseas commitments, we will not share fully in any cancellation which may take place in the future. Whatever the conditions contained in the security agreement are. they should be waived until the termination of the war, so that all parts of the Commonwealth will participate in adjustments of war debts. "Had £20.000.000 been paid off the national debt, the Government would have shown more political acumen, for it would be reducing our ordinary debt and the corresponding interest bill. Great Britain is not repaying any financial war commitments to the United States of America or Canada during the war and, as a matter of general policy, all war commitments contracted in the war should be adjusted on a common basis as circumstances determine after the war. This is an all-in war, and there should be an all-in settlement after hostilities have been concluded."