GOVERNMENT’S DESIRE

Dominion, Volume 36, Issue 100, 22 January 1943, Page 4

GOVERNMENT’S DESIRE

Return Of N.Z. Division As Soon As Possible (Bv Telegraph.— Press Association.) CHRISTCHURCH, January 21. “It is the desire and intention of the Government and of the War Cabinet to return our division to New Zealand from the Middle East as soon as it is possible to do so.” said the Minister of Supply, Air. Sullivan, when opening the Labour campaign in the Christchurch East byelection. , . „ He deprecated any attempt by members of Parliament to win .support by advocating a return of the division. The Alinister said he hoped no person in the. campaign, and specially no member, ot Parliament, would exploit the. anxiety and attention of the people with regard to the return of the division. Every member of Parliament was completely familiar •with the entire story. Every member knew that the Prime Alinistcr had been absolutely frank with Parliament. He had told them everything and had read to them cablegrams which had passed between Mr. Churchill and himself.

The question of the return of the New Zealand Division was discussed by the House of Representatives at the short meeting of Parliament last December, when, a statement on the subject, was made to members by the Prime Alinister, Air Fraser, who also read to them cable messages from Mr. Churchill. It is common 'knowledge that Parliament .was unanimously of opinion that the division should be retained in the Middle East in view ot the situation in North Africa, and that the position could he reviewed from time to time in consultation with Air. Churchill.