“WE WILL WIN”'

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 86, Issue 65, 18 March 1942, Page 5

“WE WILL WIN”'

PRIME MINISTER SPEAKS FAITH IN NEW ZEALAND APPEAL FOR INDOMITABLE FIGHTING SPIRIT (P.A.) Parliament Bldgs., March 17. 1 Stressing the fact that Parlia- 1 meat was meeting at the most * critical time in the Dominion's 1 history, the Prime Minister, the Rt. Hon. P. Fraser, in a state- 1 ment on the war situation when t the House of Representatives re- c sinned at 7.30 p.m., said tiie fate ’> not only of New Zealand or the t British Commonwealth or the i United Nations, but of the world, c of mankind, was in the balance. 1 He prayed that all could rise to ( the heights the Dominion’s emer- / gency required, and that we I could show that understanding, in- t sight, unity, co-operation and * comradeship that the situation I demanded. After outlining the functions of the War Cabinet and thanking members £ of that body and others who had 1 assisted in the war effort lor their ' faithful and effective service, Mr. ! Fraser said that he invited criticism ‘ from all members without any reser- J rations from any sense of party ‘ allegiance or loyalty. Since the last adjournment, he ( said, there had been a rapid worsen- ( ing of the Pacific situation, and it was 1 the dutv of both the Government and 1 the people to face the facts and pre- 1 pare for all eventualities. : Mr. Fraser referred to the Russian I counter-offensive and the indomitable spirit of the Russians, and also m the 1 constancy and fortitude of the British people in pursuing their role as the 1 central figure in the war against Germany. < Above all, the British, like the ’ Russians, had retained their in- ' comparable spirit in face of disaster and adversity. ’ To win the war, Mr. Fraser con- < tinned, the Allied people required not merely supplies and manpower , but the possession of moral qualities , such as this. Undoubtedly these were dark days, he said, but: he was confident that we and other British peoples would, before long, pass to

much brighter days. Until these came the Allied people would have to adopt a stoical attitude and stand up against whatever might come, determined at all costs to slick it out, and develop above all else an indomitable fighting spirit. That we would win there was no doubt but we could not triumph until we were strong. Speaking of the Japanese successes, Mr. Fr,aser said that Japan undoubtedly gained great prizes and she was now in a position to exploit the rich territories she had overrun. She was also enabled to release large bodies of men for adventures further afield. The Prime Minister enumerated them as follows: To the south and south-east to Australian and New Zealand; to the west through Burma to India, thereby cutting supplies to China; to the north against the Russians in Eastern Siberia. She may do one or al! these things, and it was clear that with the rapid deterioration that had taken place the danger of a thrust to Fiji and New Zealand was greatly increased. This factor was of vital importance to the Allied cause because of the vital communication lines There was an urgent need for a chance to offensive strategy, said Mr. Fraser, but a mere desire and cry for such a change would not achieve it. The initiative was still with the enemy, who had complete command of the sea in the Western Pacific for the time being, and had air superiority and numerical superiority in the existing theatres of operations. To wrest that initiative from him and begin offensive action required a gigantic effort on the part of the Allies, and to that end there must be comprehensive organisation in the building up of forces and in the preparation of plans. Mr. Fraser .said it was not possible in a public review to give any hint of the strategic plan to which the Allied nations were working. The Government had lost no opportunity of expressing New Zealand’s viewpoint, and pressing her needs before the British rjid United States Governments, and the agreement with the Commonwealth would be of immense benefit to Now Zealand. Everything we possessed he declared, must be devoted to the task of hurling back the invader and overthrowing our : enemies. The spirit of New Zealand was good and the people would not fall victims to gossip, or rumour or , falsehood, whether from Berlin, Rome or Tokio. or to local manufacture by stpuid mischievous busybodies. They would not give way to hysteria or panic but would treat the threats of our enemies with the contempt which they deserved. They would not wince or faller in the hour of danger. "We have faith in our selves and faith in our friends,” concluded ! thp Prime Minister. "We will light the good fight. will keep the faith. We will run our full course. We will win.” Immediately on the conclusion of ■ his speech the Prime Minister drew the attention of the Speaker, the Hon. 1 W. E. Barnard, to the presence,of "strangers” in the galleries, and the House wen! inlo secret session which continued for the remainder of the ' evening. The House was still in secret session at midnight. The session lasted until 12.8 a.m., when lhe House rose 1 till 2.30 to-morrow. It is still in secret session.