NO CONFUSION

Timaru Herald, Volume CLI, Issue 22253, 22 April 1942, Page 4

NO CONFUSION

General MacArthur’s

Appointment

Reconquest Of Pacific Being Planned (P.A.) WELLINGTON, April 21. "There is some talk in the newspapers about some confusion about the command in the South-western and South Pacific,” said the Rt. Hon. P. Fraser, speaking at a welcome to Brigadier-General Hurley, United States Minister to New Zealand. “There is no confusion either in London or Washington, nor is there in Wellington or Canberra. These matters have been well thought out and studied. “Two questions received close attention and study from the General Staff in London and Washington. The first was how the onward rush of the Japanese towards the South-west and South Pacific can be effectively stemmed, how can Australia and how can our own country be so adequately equipped for defence that any threat of invasion can be repelled and the invader hurled back in complete and absolute defeat. The boundaries of the various commands have been arranged accordingly, and the commands so far as New Zealand is concerned will be announced very early from Washington.

The second consideration and proposal arises from .the fact that it is not in the nature of those who are striving for freedom to agree to remain on the defensive. That m»v •—*

us. It may save our country, but it may not. The immediate ano ... tion is the defence of Bri‘

Middle East, India, Burma, Australia, New Zealand and the _ Pacific. Maybe that is not what dominates the minds and fires the soui of the people of the democratic countries. It is not defensive but offensive action that they are giving most thought to at the present moment. “In Washington. London, Canberre Wellington and Ottawa, so far as the Pacific goes, and in Chungkmg, too, the best brains and most skilled strategists and naval, military and air technicians are considering how from these shores of ours and from the shores of the Commonwealth across the Tasman will go forth in due course, equipped as never before, Armies, Fleets and Air Forces to the reconquest Of the Pacific for democracy and freedom, not to halt until the flag of freedom flies over even the despotic and tyrannical nations that dared to threaten us.”