STRIKING RECORD

New Zealand Herald, Volume 81, Issue 24825, 23 February 1944, Page 6

STRIKING RECORD

NEW ZEALAND AT WAR WELFARE OF THE PEOPLE LONDON, Feb 21 Telling a Guildhall audience that New Zealand's military force overseas totalled 52,000, the High Commissioner for the Dominion, Mr. W. J. Jordan, added that although the personnel of the Kew Zealand Air Force totalled only 1000 in 1939 there are now 40,000 serving in the R.N.Z.A.F. and the R.A.F. Mr. Jordan was delivering a speech . as one in a series of commentaries on the subject, "The British Commonwealth at War." The Lord Mayor, Sir Frank Newson-Smith, presided. Mr. Jordan said there were seven -ILA.F. squadrons in Britaiii which were designated New Zealand squadrons. . Thev were manned principally by New Zealanders, but most members of the . R.N.Z.A.F. were spread throughout the •8.A.F., serving in about 500 squadrons in addition to 14 squadrons which were active!? engaged ill the fighting in the Pacific" A total of over 600 awards for gallantry, including two Crosses, had been awarded to New Zealand airmen. Dealing with world problems arising from the war, Mr. Jordan added that 3\"ew Zealand, throughout her history, had striven for the welfare of her petpple, for which reason she had been criticised, but New Zealand was intensely democratic. All classes_ united in the desire to improve conditions of life, not only within the Dominion's own borders, but also for the whole human family. "To this end." Mr. Jordan proceeded, "wo are prepared to face dangers and assume burdens which in proportion to our population and resources would not be less severe than those borne by any other State. Our country is willing and desires to take her place in the councils of nations, believing that no nation can satisfactorily live while others hold hack or are held back. , "When the war ends," Mr. Jordan added, "millions of people will be starving and iintiv that state of affairs ends without danger of a recurrence the rest of the world cannot enjoy security. New ■Zealand is a small, remote country, but even there, where our plans were laid Jong ago and have been operating for several years, there will not bo real 'social security while there is starvation and want in far-off China or India, Poland or Germany. We shall need a Lord Wool ton (who prior to his appointment three months ago as Minister of was Minister of Food) ai'ter the war, not to retain the maximum amount, hut to make sure that at least the minimum amount for each person is made available."

JAPANESE DISAPPEAR GREEN ISLAND OPERATION (N.Z.E.F. Offiiia! War Correspondent) NZ HEADQUARTERS, Feb. 22 The occupation of Green Island was completed when forces moving south on both sides of the lagoon converged toward the Catholic Mission and met in the area where the Japanese had been camped. Although the bivouacs showed signs of very recent' occupation, the enemy Lad moved out, leaving a considerable quantity of arms and equipment. The booty found included 150 rifles, three mortars 20mm. automatic anti-tank guns, six machine-guns, thousands of rounds of ammunition, and several unopened rubber bags of rice, as well as money, soldiers' packs and haversacks packed and then left, indicating a hurried flight. Obviously the number of Japanese had been under-estimated in •the native reports. . The New Zealanders used tanks in support of the infantry. The tanks, which were used very effectively in earlier patrols, had been ferried across the lagoon to suitable ground for the advance, where they brushed aside jungle obstacles as they forged slowly forward over the rough surface. Before the infantry advanced artillery had plastered the area. A feature of the movement was that, although the forces emploved moved in from opposite sides, signallers maintained constant touch, and the troops, navigating the dense bush by compass directions, linked up in the exact places and at the times planned "Whether the Japanese escaped from the island or went into hiding will be determined by the patrols now being carried out,.