DIVISION'S FUTURE

New Zealand Herald, Volume 82, Issue 25203, 16 May 1945, Page 6

DIVISION'S FUTURE

NO DECISION YET MADE WAR AGAINST JAPAN (P.A.) WELLINGTON, Tuesday Referring to the future role of the New Zealand Division, the actingPrime Minister, Mr Nash, said today that the part the Dominion was to play in the war against Japan had for some weeks been under consideration by the War Cabinet, and the Prime Minister, Mr Fraser, had been in consultation on the question with the Chiefs of Staff. Until the Chiefs of Staff had supplied their report to the Prime Minister and he had communicated with the Government final decision, which rested with the Government in New Zealand, could not be made. Immediately the decision was made it would be published. Long service men would be brought home at the earliest possible moment and shipping arrangements were already under discussion with the military authorities, as shipping was the only factor that could delay their return. The Minister added that the policy whereby . the manpower and material resources of the Dominion scould be best utilised for the completion of the war at the earliest moment would be continued. Decision would be made after careful and complete consultation with the British Government and the Combined Chiefs of Staff. New Zealand's work now was to find a way in which it could best assist the other United Nations to end the conflict with Japan Mr Nash said that it would take some time to get our prisoners of war home from England. Their return would depend on the availability of shipping, and negotiations were in progress to secure the necessary transport.