ABEL TASMAN’S ARRIVAL

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 86, Issue 55, 6 March 1942, Page 3

ABEL TASMAN’S ARRIVAL

ANNIVERSARY THIS YEAR 1 (P.A.) Wellington, March 5. The 300th. anniversary ol the visit to New Zealand of Abel Tasman occurs this year. Addressing the English-Speaking Union to-day the Consul for the Netherlands, M. F. Vigeveno, said fairly extensive plans to celebrate the anniversary had been made. The Dutch Government was keen to collaborate. However, in view of the war situation, it was now doubtful how much would come of the plans. M. Vigeveno expressed the confident hope that the Dutch in Java would be able to hold up the enemy for a considerable time, thus enabling the United Nations to finish their preparations for a counter-offensive. He also, however, stressed the need lor Allied reinforcements now. “I believe and hope it will be possible for the defenders to hold on to part ol the island for a considerable lime, thus keeping large numbers of I he enemy occupied in the same wav that the gallant Americans under General MacArthur are doing on the Batan Peninsula. This would be of tremendous value to the Allies, particularly Australia and New Zealand. The result of the Dutch effort in Java | would, however, as must be obvious, be greatly influenced by the arrixal of Allied reinforcements right now.'