GRIM DAYS RECALLED

Dominion, Volume 37, Issue 188, 8 May 1944, Page 4

GRIM DAYS RECALLED

New Zealand’s Pride In Comradeship (British Official Wireless.) DOINDON, May 5.

New Zealand's pride in having taken a full part in the war from the very beginning up to the climax which now seems imminent was expressed by Mr. Fraser in a statement today. He said that his three war-time visits had coincided with three distinct phases of the conflict, specially as far as New Zealand was concerned. Mr. Fraser said: “When I walk through the streets of London this spring my mind goes back inevitably to my last visit here, ip the dark days of the early summer of 1041. I had just come back from the Middle East, where I had watched our men and the other gallant British soldiers returning from their heroic stand in Crete. I found London hard hit by the recent raids, with damage to be seen on all sides, but with its spirit undaunted. In the streets the people, With no certain assurance of victory beyond the feeling, in their own hearts, carried on determinedly. I felt proud then to be the representative of a fellow country of the British Commonwealth which was sharing those perils and efforts with Britain in the defence of civilization. Magnificent Spirit. “The British people in that grim hour were magnificent. Today it is another Britain —equally magnificent, but this time fully armed, with not only her own forces but also those of powerful allies and the other nations of the Commonwealth standing by ready for the climax of the European war. From my knowledge of British history, and above all from the impressions carried in my mind ever since that momentous experience in visiting London in 1940, I am sure our forces will go into this campaign with magnificent determiantion and spirit. “We in. New Zealand are proud to have played our part through the assistance of our troops, airmen, sailors, farmers and factory workers in the days when England was truly besieged. Now that there is an ewr-growing certainty that the siege will be lifted and the war in Europe brought to the final stage we are proud to be tilde to play our part in this common struggle both now in the defeat of the enemy and afterward in the establishment of a world which will be worthy of tlie spirit of the people of Britain during these long years of war.” Mr. Fraser gave the total New Zealand casualties of all kinds as 29.850, including 7300 killed, and he also revealed that New Zealand had sent overseas approximately 110,000 men since the outbreak of the war.

MR. FRASER’S BUSY WEEK (Received May 7, 7 p.m.) LONDON, May 6. Mr. Fraser has had a busy week, in which he even made meal engagements the occasion for private talks with British and New Zealand officials. He has scon My. Churchillon several occasions apart from the conference sessions, and also talked with Mr. Eden, Lord Cranborne, Lord Portal, Lord Keynes and other Government and service officials. Mr. Fraser, if the length of bis stay permits, may visit air and naval stations where New Zealanders are stationed, and he may also go to Italy to visit the New Zeqlaud division. At Buckingham Palace yesterday the King received in audience the Australian Prime Minister, Mr, Curtin, who remained to luncheon. Mr. Curtin was the fourth Prime Minister to lunch with His Majesty this week. Sir. Churchill was the first, Mr. Mackenzie King the second, and Field-Marshal Smuts the third.