WAR IN PACIFIC

Wairarapa Times-Age, 26 March 1942, Page 2

WAR IN PACIFIC

NEW ZEALAND’S IMPORTANT PART EVERY REASON FOR CONFIDENCE. ADDRESS TO ROTARY CLUB BY MR J. ROBERTSON. Aspects of the war situation, particularly those in the Pacific, were dealt with by Mr J. Robertson, member for Masterton, in an address given at today’s luncheon of the Masterton Rotary Club. Mr Robertson explained at the outset that while in a military sphere it was now commonly recognised that the strategy and tactics of the last war were not applicable to this war, there was also in the civilian sphere new conditions which made it impossible to publish news and information in the way it could safely be done in the last war. This made a high degree of secrecy necessary and consequently the people generally were required to accept more meagre information and to have confidence in those entrusted with the carrying out of war operations. People, therefore, should not make demands for information or even indulge in derogatory criticism which could only adequately be met by the publishing of information useful to the enemy.

“Lift up your hearts,” said Mr Robertson, quoting Mr Churchill on a nv'morable occasion. Mr - Robertson proceeded to tell his audience of various aspects of the war situation as it affected the Pacific and New Zealand in particular. He dealt with recent discussions at Canberra, showing that they were of more importance than Press messages had indicated and referred to measures taken in New Zealand in conjunction with Pacific Allies, not only for defence but with a view to offensive warfare. Mr Robertson imparted a great deal of interesting and useful information which indicated that while there had been some blundering and many setbacks, there was every reason to regard the future with hope and confidence. New Zealand was destined to play a very important part in the Pacific war and the plans now laid would, as they developed, involve many changes in the people’s general outlook.