Mr. Fraser at Washington

Taranaki Daily News, 27 August 1942, Page 2

Mr. Fraser at Washington

Announcement of the Prime Minister's arrival at Washington is a fair explanation to the speeulation that was aroused when the House of Representatives recently met a month earlier than scheduled. But

it also sets afoot much more speeulation and arouses many questions. Following so closely upon Mr. Fraser's visit to Australia it will be a generally held assumption that matters concerning Pacific strategy and supply have taken him to Washington, but beyond that the public can only exercise its imagination to little profit. It is a feature of New Zealand at war that the public is so often thrown upon its imagination. What is considered 1 safe and necessary at London, at Ottawa, and at Canberra is hidden at Wellington In the mysteries of secret sessions of Parliament. Obviously there are many aspects of the war effort that can only be frankly discuSsed beyond the ears of the enemy, but it is hard to believe that the limits set by military necessity and security are pot exceeded by the legislators at Wellington. Indeed, Mr. Nash as acting Prime Minister admitted that much that was said in secret session was not really confidential. There can be no question that by carrying the practice to excess the public is deprived of information that they could properly and usefully be given and which would be stimulative to both morale and effort. An uninformed public opinion is apt to jump to conclusions and this is not unlikely, to be the case with. regard to Mr. Fraser's, . visit - to Washington. On the face of it it is difficult to see why Mr. Fraser should visit the American capital where the Dominion believes that it is ably and competently represented by Mr. Nash. It is even more difficult to appreciate this when it is so apparent that in the Dominion firm and inspiring leadership is required. Mr. Fraser would be doing good service to devote some thjought and attention to this aspect oi his office on his return.