PACIFIC COUNCIL

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume 77, 29 August 1942, Page 5

PACIFIC COUNCIL

SOLOMONS SUCCESSES REAL GAIN MR FRASER’S REPORT DISCUSSED Washington, Aug. 27. The Pacific Council viewed the successes m the Solomons as a real gain. The meeting lasted 90 minutes and was devoted almost exclusively to Mr Fraser’s report on the South-West Pai cific and New Zealand’s relation to the battle programme. Mr Nash acted as spokesman. 1 Mr Nash told the Press that his own impression was that the Allied gain in the Solomons was real. There had been a considerable dispersal of Japan ese forces in the South-West Pacific area and the outlook was rather en couraging. Losses of aeroplanes at one point had been in the proportion of seven Allied against 33 Japanese. Mr Nash said the Council discussed the new Japanese landing at New Guinea but did not comment on this. He said that Mr Fraser reported on con sultations with Mr Curtin and General MacArthur. Mr Roosevelt discussed the Solomons operations. Mr Nash, commenting on Press reports, said he had already given most of what was going on. Lord Halifax (British Ambassador) said Mr Fraser was much impressed with the cordial way the Australian and American forces were working together. Sir Owen Dixon. Australian Minister to U.S.A., did not comment