PACIFIC OUTLOOK

Auckland Star, Volume LXXIII, Issue 176, 28 July 1942, Page 5

PACIFIC OUTLOOK

MUST SMITE JAPAN Mr. Nash Says Britain Doing All Possible For N.Z. United Press Association.—Copyright Rec. 2 p.m. LONDON, July 27. "New Zealand's position is safer since the Midway and Coral Sea battles," said Mr. Walter Nash at a Press conference. "Before Midway I would have said one of the wisest things Japan could have done would have been to attack New Zealand and cut the supply line to Australia. There will be hard conflicts in the South Pacific, and I think it is a huge mistake for anyone to imagine that Japan has finished and therefore the wisest procedure at present is to do nothing. We must find a way of doing something that will be most harmful to Japan." Asked whether a Pacific charter | was being framed, Mr. Nash replied: "I cannot see why a Pacific charter is necessary. The Atlantic Charter was so named because it was written on the Atlantic and embraces all nations. It would divide the world hopelessly if there were different charters for different areas," A questioner asked whether there was concern in New Zealand regarding the recent Pacific crisis, remarking that nothing was heard from New Zealand, whereas Australia made it clear she regarded the situation as most serious. "Nothing To Squeal About** Mr. Nash replied: "We had an idea that by quietly talking among ourselves concerning what is being done without any publicity we were getting a better result. There was nothing for us to squeal about." He added that Britain was fully alive to New Zealand's position and was doing everything possible. "I am satisfied that while small changes might be helpful, the Pacific War Council at Washington has been most useful for countries bordering the Pacific, particularly Australia and New Zealand." Mr. Brenden Bracken, Minister of ri ?hl 10 S' .Inducing Mr. Nash, said the British Government was greatly pleased to have Mr. Nash Britai n deeply appreciated Is;ew Zealand's war effort She St 5 " 1311 in nUmbers bu t great in Dositinn^^n^Tr 3^^ P re sent S Europe was undoubtedly fht .Commenting on his stay in ® United States, he said he owed fster tVw?h- for f mer Australian Minister to Washington, Mr. R. G. Casey courtesy when he first arrived in Washington, also Dr. Evatt and Sir Owen Dixon, with whom he subsequently worked. Amazing Changes In U.S.A. "These Australians and myself were working all the time to ensure mat Dotri Dominions were properlv represented on all questions." Mr. Nash said. He described as "amazing the changes he had seen in America after his arrival, including the production of equipment, manpower readjustment, economic and social conditions.

"Nothing was more apparent than the fact that production during these few months outdistanced all dreamed of records," Mr. Nash stated. Referring to President Roosevelt, he said: "Both as chairman of the Pacific War Council and leader of his country he is continuously an inspiration. He is probably the best-in-formed man on the world situation I have yet met."

Mr. Nash said all New Zealanders between the age of 18 and 66 were registered for some form of service and everyone who could do a job could find one. Men over 41—the top year for military serviee—were employed in home defence. In spite of everything, production in New Zealand increased during the past year largely due to the fine work by the women.