WAR DANGERS

Wairarapa Times-Age, 18 March 1942, Page 3

WAR DANGERS

NEED OF PREPARING WITH VIGOUR FOR OFFENSIVE ACTION AGAINST ENEMY, PRIME MINISTER’S STATEMENT TO HOUSE. (By Telegraph—Press Association.) WELLINGTON, This Day. Before the House of Representatives went into secret session last evening to receive and discuss the report of I lie War Cabinet, the Prime Minister (Mr Fraser) made a statement on the war situation in the Pacific and elsewhere. “The House is meeting tonight at the most critical time in the history of our country; indeed, at the most, critical time in history,” said Mr Fraser. “This short session is not an ordinary session. It will deal exclusively with war matters, and in comparison everything else is of small importance.” Mr Fraser said the House had met as a national committee to receive a report from the War Cabinet, the body immediately responsible for New Zealand’s war effort. He did not ask any member of the Government or Opposition to refrain from any criticism whatever because of party affiliation or sense of party loyalty. He expected, invited and welcomed criticism from any member. He only asked that it should be helpful and constructive. Mr Fraser thanked the War Cabinet and others closely identified with the war effort. “Since the adjournment, there had been a rapid worsening of the Pacific situation,” said Mr Fraser, “and it is the duty of both the Government and the people to face the fact and to prepare for all eventualities with the utmost possible vigour.”

CALL ON FIGHTING SPIRIT. The Prime Minister spoke with enthusiasm of the stand made by the Russians and also of the fortitude of the British people. He said they had retained their unconquerable spirit in the face of disaster and adversity. New Zealand had to adopt a stoical attitude and stand up against whatever blows might come, determined at all costs to stick it out and develop an indomitable fighting spirit. “That we will win there is no doubt,” said Mr Fraser, "but we will not win till we are strong. Potentially, of course, the Allies are still, in spite of the temporary successes of the Japanese in the Pacific area, much the stronger combination. With ‘the use of the combined resources of the United Nations, we must win.” The Prime Minister said that much remained to be done before the phase of offensive action could be adopted with a fair measure of success. In the Pacific, Japan for all practical purposes had obtained possession of what was known as the ABDA area. Japan was now in a position to exploit the rich territories she had overrun, and the overcoming of resistance there enabled her to release large bodies of men for adventures further afield—to the south and south-east to Australia and New Zealand; to the west through Burma to India, thereby cutting off supplies to China; or to the north, against the Russians in eastern Siberia. She might do one or all of these things. STRATEGY IN THE PACIFIC. With the rapid deterioration thathad' taken place, the Ganger of a thrust to Fiji and New Zealand had increased. This factor was of vital importance to us, and was also important to the Allied cause since the retention of New Zealand and Australia as bases of defensive and offensive action and as vital links in a chain of communications with the United States, was an essential feature of the general strategy of the war in the Pacific. To wrest the initiative from the enemy and begin offensive action required a gigantic effort on the part of the Allied nations, the Prime Minister said. To that end there must be a careful and comprehensive organisation in building up forces and preparing plans. This had engaged the full attention of all the Allied countries in the Pacific and was an absolutely essential preliminary to any form of successful offensive action. A stage had been reached where we could not afford a single mistake, and clearly we could not afford to imperil the safety of the remaining Allied territories in the Pacific area. New Zealand had lost no opportunity of expressing her viewpoint and pressing her needs before the British and United States Governments. As a result of efforts, a large measure of assistance had been promised, many forms of which were under way. Mr Fraser said the spirit of New Zealand and its people was good. They would not fall victim to gossip, or rumour or falsehood, whether from Berlin, Rome or Tokio, or of local manufacture by stupid and sometimes mischievous busybodies. They would not give way to hysteria or panic. They would treat the threats of the enemies with the contempt they deserved, and would not wince or falter in the hour of danger. “We have the power and the will to do our part, and we are not alone,” he concluded. “We are part of that mighty army of freedom that is forming and arming with ever-increasing might and speed. We have faith in ourselves and faith in our friends. The secret session began at 7.5 U P The House rose at 12.8 till 2.30 today, when the secret session will be continued.