PACIFIC COMMANDS

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 86, Issue 94, 23 April 1942, Page 5

PACIFIC COMMANDS

NO PREMATURE STATEMENT PRIME MINISTER ASSURES MR. HOLLAND (P.A.) Wellington, April 22. “I regret that the War Cabinet is not yet in a position to satisfy the very natural curiosity of Mr. Holland in regard to the Pacific commands and the positionof Now Zealand in respect of those commands," said Mr Fraser this afternoon. “1 am sure Mr. Holland will be the last person to expect me to make any premature statement which might embarrass the high authorities in Washington who are entrusted with the control of th? Allied forces and strategy in the Pacific. So he must possess his soul in such patience as he can command until the combined American and British general staffs in Washington make an announcement or authorise us to make it here. With other members of the War Cabinet, I am anxious that the position arrived at in regard to the command areas should be announced as early as possible, and I am assured that'this will be done. In the meantime nothing further can be added to what I have already said on the matter. The full facts of the negotiations are at the disposal of Mr. Holland at any time in cables to which ho has opportunity of access at all times, a fact that, as far as he is concerned, should obviate 1 the necessity for a public request for information. and should make it clear whether or not the statement such as he asks for could or could not be made at any particular moment. In addition. I am always prepared to place the full facts of any particular war situation before the Leader of the Opposition. I am sure that he will agree that such matters as Pacific commands and strategy are far too serious and important to be made the shuttleclock of party politics." A call to the Prime Minister to release without delay an authoritative statement on whether New Zealand was included in the supreme com' mand of General MacArthur was made at Christchurch on Tuesday night by the Leader of the Opposition, Mr. Holland. In an interview Mi. Holland referred to confusion in the minds of New Zealanders as a result of conflicting messages, which, he said, could be cleared immediately by a complete statement by Mr. Fraser.