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SINGLE COMMAND

UNITING NEW ZEALAND & AUSTRALIA CONSIDERED DESIRABLE IN SYDNEY. VITAL COMMON INTERESTS. (Bv Telegraph—Press Association— Copyright) -’ * ' - ' SYDNEY, May 6. ■ “The defence interests of Australia and New Zealand would be served best if the. countries and their dependen- / eies were joined under a single unified command.” This is the opinion in well-informed circles, where the divorce of New Zealand from General MacArthur’s south-west Pacific command is regarded as distinctly unfortunate. ■ Commenting in an editorial, the “Sydney Morning Herald” says: “It is doubtful whether- any of the parties concerned have felt entirely happy about the recent arrangements whereby a South Pacific area, separate from General MacArthur’s south-west Pacific command, has been created, with New Zealand, Fiji and other islands included in its ambit.” Army spokesmen decline to comment on the separation of the commands. However, they point out that the defence of Fiji anc] New Zealand, mitch more than that of Australia, is primarily a naval task. It is believed here that naval intervention is imperative if the Japanese are to be prevented from further reinforcing their strength in the south Pacific. The continued action of the Allied air forces has not stopped the enemy from consolidating his island bases and increasing his offensive forces. “The supply lines from Japan must be attacked if the enemy is to be checked,” declares a commentator. “This is a task beyond the scope and power of the Allied air forces, and it calls for naval action.”

The same commentator declares that the successful defence of New Zealand and Fiji is of • higher importance to Australia than the defence of even certain isolated areas on the mainland. “As the Japanese show that their increased purpose is to move south along the eastern chain, so the importance to Australia of New Zealand and ’ Fiji is emphasised. They are vital to the passage of the American supplies, and their fall would tear the keystones from the whole structure of Australian defence.”

Permanent link to this item
Hononga pūmau ki tēnei tūemi

https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/WAITA19420507.2.45

Bibliographic details
Ngā taipitopito pukapuka

Wairarapa Times-Age, 7 May 1942, Page 4

Word count
Tapeke kupu
324

SINGLE COMMAND Wairarapa Times-Age, 7 May 1942, Page 4

SINGLE COMMAND Wairarapa Times-Age, 7 May 1942, Page 4

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