POSITION IN PACIFIC

Wairarapa Times-Age, 29 March 1941, Page 7

POSITION IN PACIFIC

DOMINION AND JAPAN GOODWILL EXPRESSED. AGGRESSION DOOMED TO FAILURE. ißy Telegraph—Press Association.) WELLINGTON, This Day. When aggression and ruffianism threatened the freedom of the world, the Powers responsible were doomed to failure, said the Prime Minister. Mr Fraser, speaking at the annual dinner of the Wellington Chamber of Commerce last night. In welcoming the representative of Japan, he made reference to the goodwill existing between this country and Japan, and expressed the hope that no Pacific nations would be drawn into the conflict that had been forced on mankind. "No one wishes to retain peace in the Pacific more sincerely than New Zealand." said Mr Fraser. "Our Japanese friends know that we are friendly. and will remain friendly." It would be a tragedy, he added ,if any nations of the Pacific joined the exploits of those Powers which were threatening world freedom, because when aggression and ruffianism, no matter how organised, aroused mankind to opposition. then that tyranny was doomed. “We do not want the Pacific to be drawn into the conflict that, has been enforced on mankind, and it would bo. a tragedy if any of the Pacific nations departed from the path of peace. I hope that that principle will remain firmly established in the Pacific." he said.