MR NASH IN LONDON

Wairarapa Times-Age, 10 February 1944, Page 4

MR NASH IN LONDON

- UP TO DATE INFORMATION SOUGHT ON DIRECTION OF NEW ZEALAND WAR EFFORT. TRIBUTES TO ALLIED FORCES. (By Telegraph—Press Association— Copyright) (■Received This Day, 11.10 a.m.) LONDON, February 9. “I came to London to give the New Zealand picture of its war effort in relation to the war efforts firstly of the United Nations as a whole, and secondly of the British Commonwealth,” said Mr Nash (New Zealand Finance Minister) at a Press conference. He added: “During the past few months I have gained a first-hand knowledge of the war efforts of New Zealand, Australia and the United States, and now want to get an up-to-date view of the present position of Britain and the United Nations. We New Zealanders want to be sure our war effort is directed into the most useful channels. We have soldiers in the Mediterranean and the Pacific, and sailors and airmen in all theatres of war. We are committed to supply foodstuffs. We want to make sure our national effort is so distributed as to achieve the best results.” Mr Nash said he was also investigating the financial position, because New Zealand in the next few years had a number of loans maturing. Commenting on the Pacific war, Mr Nash said distances made it a terrific job. He paid a tribute to Australian and American soldiers, airmen and sailors for the wonderful jobs thej r had done in New Guinea and the islands. “I stayed on Tarawa overnight a few days after the Americans took the island,” he said. “I assure you they did a remarkably fine job.” Mr Nash expressed satisfaction with the Australian-New Zealand agreement, and said Australia owed a great debt to Mr Curtin. He added that last January he had found Australia’s determination in her war effort greater than ever.