AGGRESSIVE TASK IN PACIFIC

Dominion, Volume 35, Issue 257, 29 July 1942, Page 6

AGGRESSIVE TASK IN PACIFIC

Mr. Nash’s Advocacy CONTINUED PERIL OF NEW ZEALAND (British Official Wireless.) . • RUGBY, July 27. At his Press conference today M,r. 'Nash,'New Zealand Minister at Washington, said that America had done a splendid job by her victories in the Coral Sea and at Midway, lint the danger to New Zealand and Australia remained because of Japan’s great naval strength. He expected that, there would yet be hard conflicts in the southern Pacific. “New Zealand’s position has been safer since the Midway and Coral Sea battles,’’ said Mr. Nash. "Before Midway I would have said that one of the .wisest things Japan could have done was 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 by doing something that will be most harmful to Japan.” They had to find means of hitting the enemy wherever it was. most harmful to hit him, not thinking of their own safety or that of any particular country, whether it was New Zealand, Australia, Hawaii, the United States, or the United Kingdom. Mr. Nash praised the way in which the women of New Zealand had helped to keep up production in the Dominion while men were in the Services. He explained that all men between IS and 66 were liable for some, form of service, and said that in spite, of this production had gone up ■ during the last 12 months, largely owing to the fine work of women who had returned to industry. During Recent Crisis. . Asking Mr. Nash whether there was concern in New Zealand regarding the recent Pacific crisis, a questioner remarked that nothing had been heard from New Zealand, whereas Australia had made it clear that she regarded . the situation as most serious. Mr. Nash replied: “We had the idea that by quietly talking, among our- ' selves concerning what is being done, < without,; any publicity, we were getting be.feer results. There was nothing for us to squeal about.” He added that Britain was fully _ alive to New Zealand’s position and doing everything possible. He was satisfied that while small changes 1 might be helpful, the Pacific War Council in Washington had been most < useful for the countries bordering on the Pacific, particularly Australia and i New Zealand. !

The Minister of Information, Mr. Brendan Bracken, introducing Mr. Nash, at today’s Press conference, said the British Government was greatly pleased., to have Mr. Nash in Britain and deeply appreciated New Zealand’s war effort.' She was small in numbers but great in heart. Mr. Na'sh was also interviewed by a 8.8.0. representative. It appears, the 8.8. C. reports, that his mission will fall into three distinct ■ parts. First, Mi-.-Nash intends to impress,on the British Government and people the importance of the war in l the Pacific.. Sec-ond,-'lie intends to learn as. much ,as possible about the immense production effort in Britain. Third, he will study post-war problems which have already been’-outlined by Mr.. Eden and .Mr. Cordell Hull and other leading statesmen.