ROLE IN PACIFIC.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LX, Issue 257, 27 September 1940, Page 8

ROLE IN PACIFIC.

NEW ZEALAND’S PART. IMPORTANCE’ STRESSED. (United Press Association—Copyright) (Rec. 2.,5 p.m.) NEW YORK, Sept. 26 The .British Ambassador (Lord. Loitliian), speaking at a Dominion Day function at the New Zealand Pavilion . ;lt the World's Lair, said he doubted 'if many Amci’icans realised the signilieance of New Zealand and Australia ; from the viewpoint of United States [security and the defence of the Pacilic. “Some,’’ he said, “regard them as isolated nations looking for help ?rom outside. It is true they both rely mainly on the British Navy for long-dis-tance defence, but they are able to contribute much for the security of the Pacific from their own strength. “Their Air Forces' alone arc turning out 25,000 trained airmen annually. If the dictators challenge the security of Singapore, the Dutch East Indies and the islands in the Southern Pacific they will encounter formidable resistance from New Zealand and Australia’s ever-growing organised strength.

“New Zealand inaugurated half a century ago many social reforms that are now commonplace in every modern democracy. New Zealand has not succumbed to the philosophy |of pacifism in international affairs and preoccupation with individual comfort which have rotted many democracies. She is making a greater effort even than in the World War to defend free civilisation against totalitarian. aggression.” Lord Lothian outlined New Zealand and Australia’s war effort and recalled that the Achilles was manned by New Zealanders. At Washington, the Secretary of State (Mr Cordell Hull) said the basing of the United States fleet at Hawaii remained a fundamental of American policy.