TOUR OF BRITAIN

Wairarapa Times-Age, 14 July 1941, Page 4

TOUR OF BRITAIN

BEGUN BY NEW ZEALAND PREMIER VISIT TO FORESTRY UNIT. INSIGHT INTO ARMY PREPARATIONS. (By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright) LONDON, July 13. The New Zealand Prime Minister, Mr Fraser, driving in town on the first night of a 12-day tour of England and Wales, heard an air-raid siren for the first time. The alert lasted some time, but there was no incident. Mr Fraser was accompanied by the High Commissioner, Mr Jordan, Rear-Admiral Bromley, and the permanent head of the Prime Minister’s Department, Mr C. A. Berendsen.

When he visited the camp of a New Zealand forestry unit, Mr Fraser received a deputation of a sergeant and three sappers who expressed the desire of many members of the forestry unit for a transfer to the Middle East. The deputation also raised questions of pay difficulties, shortage of. tobacco, recreation facilities and hours and conditions of work. Mi- Fraser promised to consider the requests. Mr Fraser inspected 200 men drawn up in a newly-mown meadow. Later the foresters grouped around Mr Fraser while he told them of the exploits of the N.Z.E.F. in Greece and Crete. He added: “You boys are doing a fine job. You are front-liners and will be needed immediately in the event of an invasion.” Earlier Mr Fraser visited a convent which adopted a company from the Second Echelon last year. He visited H.M.S. King Alfred and addressed cadet ratings, including 15 New Zealanders, who had served at least three months at sea. “The Navy has done wonders. There has been nothing finer than their work in Greece and Crete,” he said. Later he chatted with the New Zealanders, who asked many questions about the N.Z.E.F’s. exploits in the Middle East. Mr Fraser intends to see many of the New Zealanders with the Navy and the R.A.F. Mr Fraser, during his two-day tour of coastal defence areas, gained much valuable information of new secret devices which will be sent to New Zealand for the benefit of the Army there. Accompanied by Mr Jordan and Colonel Park, the New Zealand liaison officer, Mr Fraser gained a thorough insight into the Army’s vast preparations against invasion and witnessed demonstrations and use of the latest equipment, including anti-tank weapons and artillery. Mr Fraser revealed his characteristic flair for detail, .constantly requesting Colonel Park to explain the points which would be most valuable for the New Zealand authorities. He closely inspected the new tanks, but was not satisfied till he was given a short run in one over rough country. In a statement he said he was most impressed with Britain s power to resist invasion. From this he derived considerable confidence. He congratulated the High Command on the high degree of efficiency, keenness and fitness of all ranks. Tomorrow Mr Fraser begins a sixday tour, on which he will visit depots where New Zealand airmen and naval personnel are training and also the hospitals where New Zealanders are patients. He will receive the of Swansea.