STRUCK THE RIGHT NOTE

Timaru Herald, Volume CLI, Issue 22183, 29 January 1942, Page 4

STRUCK THE RIGHT NOTE

Mr Churchill’s Speech (P.A.) WELLINGTON, Jan. 28. “It was certainly an inspiring speech in its realistic approach to the World War situation. It struck the right note and will have a rousing and beneficial effect on all the Allied nations, particularly the British Dominions,” said the Rt. Hon. P. Fraser, commenting on Mr Churchill’s speech. “Mr Churchill,” continued Mr Fraser, “is correct in stating that New Zealand asked for representation in the British War Cabinet co-equal with the Commonwealth of Australia, and it is true, as he says, that Dominion Ministers, sitting in the British War Cabinet will raise some problems because they must necessarily consult their respective Governments. They are in a different position from British Ministers who are themselves the Government, but again, as Mr Churchill says, those difficulties can be overcome.” Commenting on the reference to the proposed Pacific Council to sit in London; Mr Fraser said New Zealand did not reject that proposal, “but we expressed a preference for a council to be set up in Washington,” he said “We felt that as New Zealand will be in such close strategic collaboration with the Allied nations of the Pacific as well as with the United Kingdom direct, there should be adequate opportunities for consultation on a body composed of representatives of the Dominion, the United Kingdom, the United States, Australia, the Netherlands East Indies and China, and that Washington would be the most suitable location—where the combined chiefs of staff committee would be operating. The negotiations in regard to these matters were carried on in a most friendly and co-operative spirit between the United Kingdom, Australia and New Zealand, and New Zealand’s representations received, as always,’ the utmost consideration from Mr Churchill and the British War Cabinet.”