PACIFIC FRONT

Auckland Star, Volume LXXIII, Issue 174, 25 July 1942, Page 5

PACIFIC FRONT

MR. FRASER'S OPINION

Vigorous Offensive Imperative For Victory

Special Australian Correspondent. United Press Association.— Copyright SYDNEY, July 24. agains a t rg thp an T d determined offensive west Pan?Se ln the Southwest Pacific was imperative before the war could be won by the United Rations, said the Prime Minister of New Zealand, Mr. Fraser in an address to trade union officials. He contended that there must be a successful Pacific front, whether it was a second front or a third front, in elsewhere t0 arge " sca ' e operations

ar in this theatre was of the highest importance, Mr. Fraser said, and the campaign bringing final and decisive victory might be fought in the Pacific. This possibility must never be forgotten. If the war was lost all that organised Labour had fought for and won over the years would be lost. All social economic progress, all humanitarian legislation, all democratic freedom would perish. While the issue for every citizen was one of liberty or slavery under Nazi and Fascist tyrants, none had more to lose than the mass of the working people. There was absolutely no excuse for strikes, lockouts or any other interference with efficient production in the present war circumstances. Onlv a maximum war effort could save Australia and New Zealand, as well as other democratic nations.

Mr. Fraser paid a high tribute to Australia's war effort, emphasising its magnitude and efficiency. He said the fine co-operation existing between the Australian Government and our American Allies had impressed him very much. In their Prime Minister, Mr. Curtin, Australia had a most capable leader, worthy in every respect of the great responsibility of the task ahead. Mr. Fraser this morning visited a detachment of New Zealand soldiers at present undergoing a course of training and spoke to a number of the men. He showed great interest in their work.