TWO DOMINIONS IN PACIFIC

Southland Times, Issue 24243, 28 September 1940, Page 5

TWO DOMINIONS IN PACIFIC

Importance Discussed By Lord Lothian

SIGNIFICANCE TO U.S. SECURITY

(United Press Assn.—Telegraph Copyright) NEW YORK, September 26.

The Marquess of Lothian, British Ambassador in Washington, speaking on Dominion Day at the New Zealand Pavilion at the World’s Fair, said: “No doubt many Americans realize the significance of New Zealand and Australia from tire viewpoint of United States security and the defence of the Pacific. Some regard them as isolated nations looking for help from the outside. True, both rely mainly on the British Navy for their long distance defence, but they are able to contribute much to the security of the Pacific from their own strength. “The air forces alone are turning out 25,000 trained airmen annually. If the dictators ’hallenge the security of

Singapore, the Dutch East Indies, and the Southern Pacific they will encounter formidable resistance from New Zealand’s and Australia’s ever-growing organized strength. “New Zealand inaugurated half a century ago many social reforms now commonplace in every modern democracy. Yet New Zealand has not succumbed to the philosophy of pacifism in international affairs and that preoccupation with individual comfort which has rotted many of the democracies. She is making an effort greater than even she made _in the world war to defend free civilization against totalitarian aggression.” He outlined the New Zealand and Australian war effort and recalled that the cruiser Achilles was manned by New Zealanders.

MORE GIFTS FROM INDIAN_RULERS FUNDS OFFERED FOR WAR PURPOSES (British Official Wireless) (Received September 27, 6.30 p.m.) RUGBY, September 26. Further gifts by Indian rulers to the Allied cause were referred to by the Secretary for India (Mr L. S. Amery) in a speech yesterday. The Maharajadirja of Darbhanga, who has already offered an ambulance unit, now offers six ambulance cars, the Maharaja of Shavnagor has contributed £33,750 to the Viceroy’s war purposes fund, the Maharaja of Bikaner, who has already offered all the resources of his state, has donated £26,250 to the same fund, and the Mahar ja of Gondal has contributed £7500 for poor evacuated children who are temporarily homeless. COMPLETE SUCCESS OF CONVOYS INCREASED EXPORTS FROM BRITAIN (Received September 27, 6.30 p.m.) RUGBY, September 26. The fact that Britain increased her volume of exports during the first part of September is regarded as evidence of the complete success of the convoy system, especially when it is realized that the convoys were carried out under special difficulties of weather and light conditions during the summer months.

In spite of the pronouncement of a total blockade by Germany, an unusually large amount of tonnage en-

tered and cleared British ports during the first part of September. The losses sustained during that period, despite the enemy’s utmost endeavours, were only 2| per cent, of the tonnage involved. GERMAN FREIGHTER CAPTURED OTTAWA, September 26. It is officially announced that an armed merchantman captured the German freighter Weser off Manzanillo, Mexico, last night. The Weser has been suspected of ref' elling U-boats.