PLANS LAID

Wairarapa Times-Age, 9 March 1942, Page 3

PLANS LAID

BV ALLIED DEMOCRACIES IN PACIFIC NOT ONLY FOR DEFENCE BUT FOR OFFENSIVE ACTION. PREMIER CALLS FOR UNITED EFFORT. (By Telegraph—Press Association.) WELLINGTON. This Day. “The young deinocracies of the Pacific, New Zealand and Australia, are the last I'iillyiiig-groiind for the. democratic forces in the south Pacific, ami from our countries the rcconquest for democracy of the Pacific lands which have been lost to despot ism will he commenced,” said the Prime Minister, Mr h’raser, in an address hist night.

Referring to the mission to Australia by the Minister of Supply and Munitions, Mr Sullivan, and Mr Coates, Minister in the War Cabinet. Mr Fraser said that they had had important discussions with the Prime Minister of Australia, Mr Curtin, and the Australia War Cabinet and War Council.

Discussions of far-reaching importance had been arrived at, and in conjunction with the United Kingdom and the United States plans were being laid not only for the defence of the Anzac Area, but also for the commencement of offensive action.

Tn the last two and a half years we have passed through many critical situations,” said Mr Fraser. "We are passing now through the most critical period we have endured in the Pacific. We will be faced with even more critical and dangerous times before the tide of war turns, but turn it will, and we must help to make it turn. THREAT COMES NEARER.

> '“The news tonight is not good. In--1 deed, it is bad. Java is cut off from > wireless communication. Batavia and > Surabaya appear to have fallen. The Japanese enemy is once more victori1 ous and is effectively and triumphant- > ly astraddle of the Pacific for the time • being. The threat to Australia and ■ New Zealand is correspondingly : nearer and more acute. “But if there is no room for illfounded optimism, there is equally no • need for ill-founded pessimism. ... In New Zealand, as elsewhere in the British Dominions, we are bound to suffer through loss of shipping, and we know not what the future has in store for us in that respect. But in the shipbuilding yards of the United Kingdom and the United States busy hands and brains are building day and night more and ever more ships to replace our losses. The stream has hot been as great as it will be soon, and it will be increasing. FORCES & PRODUCTION. “Every possible step is being undertaken by the War Cabinet and the Government to accelerate the expantion of the Armed Froces to enable them to face and meet successfully any attempt at attack or invasion. At the same time essential war production for our own needs and essential civil defence measures are being pushed forward with full vigour. “Good results are being achieved without diminishing the overseas com- ■ mitments this Dominion has already ■ undertaken, including the production • of foodstuffs and raw materials for < the United Kingdom and of foodstuffs . and materials for the British armed ( forces, including our own Division in ; the Middle East, and New Zealand’s £ share in supplying the demands of the. Eastern Supply Council at New Delhi. £

“New Zealand has been on a full war footing since December last, when Japan entered the war. We undertook then both to defend our own shores and those of the vital Pacific territor-. ies for which we are responsible, and to maintain to the fullest extent of our power New Zealand’s contribution to the general war effort. "In providing for our own defence, both short-term and long-term measures were set in train simultaneously, and as a result of careful planning and preparation both measures have been accelerated and the work of de-, fence is being co-ordinated without confusion and without delay. SUPPLY OF WAR MATERIAL.

“Our needs are being pressed in Washington by Mr Nash and in London by Mr Jordan and our military liaison officers. War Cabinet, too,, has placed our opinions, our appreciations, and our requirements frankly and fully before Mr Churchill and Mr Roosevelt, and the response to all our efforts has been most encouraging.

“Much material has already arrived, and is in use by the New Zealand forces. More is coming, and it can confidently be stated that this flow will be accelerated and expanded to meet the growing threat to New Zealand’s safety and the vital part which this Dominion will play in the general strategy of the war in the Pacific. “It is no longer only a question of defending New Zealand. It is one of maintaining an essential part of the Allies’ line of defence and attack. It is imperative that both New Zealand and Australia must be held. With our cur forces, Maori and pakeha, and with the co-operation and assistance of Britain and the United States, we will hold New Zealand. “WE MUST WORK.” “Let there be no doubt about that. If there is a raid we will repulse it. If there is an attempted invasion, we will hurl it back. But we must work as never before to do this. “Defence construction jobs and other essential works can brook no delay, and delays there must not be. The country's first job today is our war effort, and everybody must bend to the task, and everything we possess must be devoted to the task. “While we must be prepared to work as never before, and to sacrifice and suffer should the occasion come, there is no cause, nor can there be cause for panic. There is no time or excuse for recrimination, or stupid and futile fault-finding, or for statements, often baseless, which arouse uncertainty and fear.

“We must be prepared to face whatever the future has in store for us, fighting all the way,” said the Prime Minister. “Now at this critical hour we must face the future with good heart, and deep determination to do

all and give all in the struggle for our country and our cause. We must face the bludgeonings of fate with heads erect and fearless hearts. FAITH IN BRITAIN & U.S.A. “And there is one thing that I wish to say, as clearly and positively as I can: I have absolute faith in Britain. And I have complete faith, too, in the United States—the republic that has never yet known failure in any great task that it has undertaken. They have both the power and the will to help us. “The sea and the air may bring enemies to us; but they can also bring us friends. But if enemies do reach our shores, then we will do our best to deal with them. I believe it will then be found that it is not only when they go abroad that New Zealanders, pakeha and Maori alike, know how to fight. “Let each and all of us put our.whole hearts and souls into our work for our country and its defence. The majority of jobs in New Zealand today are directly or indirectly war jobs. Let us, then, work with might and main. Anyone who obstructs or shirks in any capacity is an enemy who cannot be excused.”