SOUTH PACIFIC STRATEGY

Southland Times, Issue 24871, 10 October 1942, Page 4

SOUTH PACIFIC STRATEGY

New Zealand’s Role Defined (P.A.) WELLINGTON, October 9. A definition of New Zealand’s role in South Pacific strategy was given by the Prime Minister, the Rt. Hon. P. Fraser, when speaking at a luncheon of the New Zealand section of the British American Co-operation movement. There was a possibility, he said, that New Zealand’s role in the South Pacific conflict might become confused and obscure, perhaps even distorted. The idea had been widely accepted that New Zealand, in common with Australia, was playing a purely defensive role. New Zealand had sent her men to the Middle East and had discharged her full responsibility, and the opinion might have been formed that she was just to be protected by greater nations. “This is an entire misconception, of New Zealand’s role, as of Australia’s, said Mr Fraser. “When we entered the war we entered it with all we had. We were so convinced the Mother Country was entering the war in the cause of humanity, and that she must get all support and that everything was at stake, that we threw everything we had into the scale. We have never receded from that.” The defence of New Zealand was very important and dear to New Zealanders, but he did not want to put them in the forefront. New Zealand s harbours, bases and all other facilities were at the disposal of the United Nations, not for the purpose of protecting the Dominion’s shores, but to help the United Nations to defeat the greatest tyranny that had ever threatened the human race. That had been made abundantly clear, and was clearly understood between New Zealand and the United States. New Zealand would answer the calls upon her to the limits of her capacity.