PACIFIC COUNCIL

Waikato Times, Volume 130, Issue 21688, 26 March 1942, Page 5

PACIFIC COUNCIL

MR NASH IN AMERICA NEW ZEALAND’S PART MR ROOSEVELT’S PRAISE (United Tress Assn.—Elec. Ter. copyright) WASHINGTON, March 24 After a conference with President Roosevelt today, the New Zealand Minister to Washington, the Hon. W. Nash, said he felt sure that representations of New Zealand and Australia for the establishment of a Pacific War Council in Washington would be settled this week. He said he had previously given Mr Roosevelt a letter from the Prime Minister of New Zealand, the Rt. Hon. P. Fraser, expressing thanks for United States assistance. He had received an answer, which would be transmitted to New Zealand. Mr Nash made it clear that New Zealand stood side by side with Australia in seeking representation on the council, as well as places on the combined staffs and Munitions Assignment Board. The extremely good teamwork of the United States, Australia and New Zealand in the South-west Pacific was praised by President Roosevelt at his press conference yesterday. Mr Roosevelt said he believed that Australia and New Zealand were satisfied with the present set-up, but if a more formal organisation was desired, such as a Pacific War Council in Washington, some such plan would be carried out. The President was replying to questions based on statements reported to have been made by the Australian Minister of Externai Affairs, Dr. H. V. Evatt, and Mr Nash, requesting more direct contact with the United States in operations in the South-west Pacific. STUBBORN RESISTANCE CHINESE REINFORCEMENTS PROTECTING BURMA ROAD (United press Assn.—Elec. Tel. cop.vrlgtu) LONDON, March 24 In order to protect the Burma Road and the communications of upper Burma, Japanese pressure is Doing stubbornly resisted along a front running roughly, but not continuously, from southward of Sandoway to Prome, Toungoo and the Burma-Siam border, says the Times’ correspondent in Delhi. With Chinese reinforcements coming into this area from the northeast, the strategic value of the Shan States becomes apparent in the Allied plans designed to prevent the isolation of China from India. Political boundaries between India and Burma have virtually ceased to exist and north-eastern India and Upper Burma are being integrated as the most important unitary zone of General Wavell’s Indian command. Elaborate preparations for the defence of the Indian area include American Air Force co-operation. The present fluid line in Burma faces any enemy penetration of the Shan States from northern Siam and also confronts the Japanese with a line of defence to counteract northward enemy movements from Rangoon, but further Japanese advances into Upper Burma cannot be discounted, nor can the possiblity of the Japanese reinforcing their troops by sea through Rangoon be ruled out until Allied sea power asserts itself in the Bay of Bengal. Thus the development of new lines cf communication between Burma and India is imperatively important and is receiving attention. FIGHTING IN BURMA CHINESE FORCES ENGAGED BRITISH TROOPS IN ACTION (Official Wireless) (Received March 26, 11 a.m.) RUGBY, March 25 A Burma communique states: Yesterday the Chinese forces were heavily engaged round Toungoo. The road from Toungoo to Pyinmana was cut at Kyunun by Japanese patrols, working round the flanks of Toungoo defences. The situation will be cleared up today. A small British force remaining in the area was in action alongside its Chinese allies. A landing-ground on the coast was bombed yesterday by 26 enemy aircraft. LORD BEAVERBROOK VISIT TO UNITED STATES (United Press Assn.—Elec. Tev. copyright) NEW YORK, March 25 A message from Miami, Florida, states that Lord Beaverbrook arrived aboard an Allied naval aeroplane. He will go to Washington within a day or two. Lord Beaverbrook will assist in the creation of an international organisation to co-ordinate AngloAmerican supplies and production.