AUSTRALIAN AID

Otago Daily Times, Issue 24912, 11 May 1942, Page 4

AUSTRALIAN AID

DOMINION'S WAR EFFORT ACKNOWLEDGED BY MR FRASER (F.0.P.R.) WELLINGTON, May 10. Acknowledgment of Australia's assistance to New Zealand in recent months was made by the Prime Minister, Mr P. Fraser, in a statement issued yesterday. Mr Fraser said that he took this action, on behalf of the Government and people of New Zealand, because of recent statements made in the press and referred to in the House of Representatives. He emphasised that New Zealand gratefully acknowledged Australia's encouragement and practical support in all the efforts bsing_ made to complete preparedness against the common enemy. Mr Fraser referred to the goodwill shown by Australia to visiting New Zealand Ministers. He said that New Zealand had had nothing but the warmest support and closest collaboration in its war effort from the Australian Prime Minister, Mr J. Curtin, and his Government and from the previous Governments led by Mr R. G. Menzies and Mr A. W. Fadden. "We were naturally disappointed that the Dominion was not included within the Anzac military strategical command, but in spite of this there exists the closest liaison between the two Governments," Mr Fraser said. "There is no division in the hearts of our peoples or in their determination to assist each other to the utmost in the common task."