DOMINION’S VOICE

Wairarapa Times-Age, 29 January 1942, Page 3

DOMINION’S VOICE

WAR CABINET & PACIFIC COUNCIL NEW ZEALAND’S PREFERENCE. CLOSE STRATEGIC COLLABORATION SOUGHT. (Bv Telegraph—Press Association.) WELLINGTON. This Day. The statement by Mr Churchill that New Zealand had asked for representation in the British War Cabinet was confirmed yesterday by the Piime Minister, Mr Fraser. He also announced that New Zealand had suggested that the Pacific Council should sit in Washington in preference to London. “It was certainly an inspiring speech in its realistic approach to the world war situation. It struck the right note and will have a rousing and beneficial effect on all of the Allied nations, particularly the British Dominions,” said the Prime Minister, when commenting on the speech of the British Prime Minister to the House of Commons. “Mr Churchill,” continued the Prime Minister, “is correct in stating that New Zealand asked for representation in the British War Cabinet co-equal with the Commonwealth of Australia, and it is true, as he says, that Dominion Ministers sitting in the British War Cabinet will raise some problems because they must necessarily consult their respective Governments. They are in a different position from British Ministers who are, themselves, the Government. But again, as Mr Churchill says, those difficulties can be overcome.” Commenting on the reference to the proposed Pacific Council to sit in London, the Prime Minister said New Zealand did not reject that proposal. “But we expressed a preference for a Council to be set up in Washington,” he added. “We felt that as New Zealand will be in such close strategic collaboration with the allied nations of the. Pacific as well as with the United Kingdom direct there should be adequate opportunities for consultation on a body composed of representatives of the Dominion, the United Kingdom, the United States, Australia, the Netherlands East Indies, and China, and that Washington would be the most suitable location—where the Combined Chiefs of Staff Committee would be operating. “The negotiations in regard to these matters were carried on in the most friendly and' co-operative spirit between the United Kingdom, Australia, and New Zealand, and New Zealand’s I representations received, as always, ’ the utmost consideration from Mr Churchill and the British War Cabinet.” SIR EARLE PAGE AUSTRALIA'S REPRESENTATIVE. (By Telegraph—Press Association— Copyright) PERTH, January 28. The Prime Minister, Mr Curtin, announced today that Sir Earle Page, who is at present in London, has been appointed Australia’s first representative on the Imperial War Cabinet. Mr Curtin said that this appointment' was only temporary. Other Ministers would be selected for the post from time to time to ensure that whoever acted would be in close touch with Australian political developments and domestic affairs. CANADA’S VIEW MAY REJECT INVITATION. OTTAWA, January 27. The United Press says informed quarters believe that Canada will reject Mr Churchill’s invitation to have a representative in the War Cabinet on the ground that it would not make for efficiency in the war effort.. Informed quarters express the opinion that an Empire War Cabinet would lead to serious possibilities of divided action.