FIRST ROUND WON

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 20877, 1 September 1942, Page 3

FIRST ROUND WON

READY FOR NEXT MR. FRASER’S VIEW ATTITUDE OF DOMINION /ft- _____ (9 a.m.) WASHINGTON,. Aug. 31. The New Zealand Prime Minister, Mr. P. Fraser, in a nation-wide broadcast, declared that the result of the Solomon .Islands action was definitely encouraging. ■ “The first round has been won and we are ready for the second,” he said. “JjTew Zealand -has always favoured offensive action like the Solomons, and •we know that the same belief in the value of the offensive is shared in' the United States. We saw it in the attitude of your splendid boys who have already reached New Zealand. “Behind that vanguard is the grouping of a great array which will make possible in due course a front which will not only be a second front but also, I believe, the final front.” Discussing the American war effort, Mr. Fraser said: “This has been an encouraging visit. Even in these few days I saw enough to realise how much America is in the war heart and soul. I know you have difficulties, particularly in the field of production. I know, too. that you have the will and the ability to overcome them. Already, despite them, you are achieving amazing things.” Main Problems Discussed Mr. Fraser said he came here to discuss with President Roosevelt and other leaders problems concerning the \ common war effort. "I naturally cannot give details,” he said, “but I can say that they are progressing satisfactorily. We have gone over all the main problems regarding the war in the south Pacific and discussed ways of dealing with them.” Mr. Fraser pointed out that, despite New Zealand’s severe losses in Libya, Crete and elsewhere, “we realise that •'the only way to deal with the Nazis and Japanese is to go out and meet them, rather than wait for them to attack. Similarly, when the war was brought to our doorstep in the south Pacific, we did not think in terms merely of defending our country, but of using New Zealand as a place from ■which the United Nations would drive forward and thrust the Japanese, not only out of the south Pacific, but right out of the war.” , ■Mr.'. Fraser paid a tribute to the American forces in New Zealand. “They impressed us by their physique and soldierly bearing and particularly by their courtesy and discipline, he said “They have already done a great deal, to solidify the already strong and enduring bonds between the two countries.”