FAITH IN OUTCOME

Wairarapa Times-Age, 26 May 1941, Page 5

FAITH IN OUTCOME

EXPRESSED BY MR FRASER

SPIRIT OF NEW ZEALAND TROOPS. WONDERFUL SUPPORT GIVEN BY NAVY. (N.Z.E.F. Official News Service.) CAIRO. May 24. I “The next few hours may well prove decisive in the great battle of Crete," said the Prime Minister of New Zealand, Mr Fraser, in an interview. “I am very confident that our New Zealand troops and their gallant Australian, British, Greek and Cretian comrades will succeed in holding Crete against one of the heaviest air attacks yet launched and in circumstances which will never be repeated. Never have conditions been so favourable for an air attack, with the enemy's air bases so close and our men deprived of air support and others handicapped; but I havq great hope of the outcome. “I know the New Zealand troops, and 1 know they are unequalled for co-operation, unity, tenacity, discipline and individual initiative." Mr Fraser said. "They showed their quality in Greece, fighting the heroic rearguard action, as also did the Australians and Greeks, and they are giving an equally good account of themselves in Crete.

“Even if we have to face further reverses, it will not change the spirit of the people of New Zealand. We are fighting for great ideals —the ideals of freedom and fair-dealing between nations, which we championed at Geneva before the League of Nations.| It was those ideals which led us into the war unasked by the mother country. We are the smallest in area and population of all the Dominions, but our spirit is surpassed by none. Come what may. even if the war-zone extends. we shall continue to fight for the ideals in which we believe.

“The Nav.y has given our men wonderful support in the battle of Crete, and with the Navy and the heroic men on shore I feel we shall win through." Mr Fraser paid a warm tribute to the people of Egypt British and Egyptian. for the welcome they had given the New Zealand troops and for the organisations they had sot up for the cultural and material welfare of the troops.