PACIFIC COUNCIL

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 86, Issue 203, 29 August 1942, Page 5

PACIFIC COUNCIL

SOLOMONS DISCUSSED MR. FRASER REPORTS ON SOUTH-WEST PACIFIC (By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright) (Reed. 8 p.m.) Washington, Aug. 27. The Pacific War Council viewed the successes in the Solomons as a real gain. The meeting, which lasted 90 minutes, was devoted almost exclusively to Mr. P. Frasers report on the South-west Pacific and New Zealand’s relation to the battle programme. Mr. Nash, who acted as spokesman, told a press conference that his own impression was that the Allied gain in the Solomons is real. There had been considerable dispersal of the Japanese forces in the South-west Pacific area and the outlook was rather encouraging. Losses of aeroplanes at one point had been in the proportion of seven Allied against 33 Japanese. Mr. Nash said the Council discussed the new Japanese landing in New Guinea but did not comment on this. He said that Mr. Fraser reported on consultations with Mr. J. Curtin and General MacArthur. President Roosevelt discussed the Solomons operations. Mr. Nash, commenting on press reports, said they had’ already given most of what was going on. Lord Halifax said Mr. Fraser was much impressed by the cordial way in which the Australian and American forces were working together. Sir Owen Dixon did not comment. Mr. Fraser lunched with Mr. Cordell Hull. The President’s private secretary, Mr. Stephen Early, said that Mr. Roosevelt stayed up until 2 o’clock this morning, talking with Mr. Fraser and Mr. Joseph Grew, U.S. Ambassador to Japan, in the President’s study. Mr. Nash was also present. Mr. Roosevelt and Mr. Fraser resumed their conference after breakfast, spending most of the morning together. They then went to the Pacific Council meeting. “HOSTILE” RECEPTION! MR. FRASER'S 'NOSE BLEEDS (Recd. 11 p.m.) Washington, Aug. 28. While posing for photographs Mr, Fraser’s nose suddenly began to bleed. Quickly he commented: “I can hear it in Berlin and Tokio now: ‘New Zealand’s Prime Minister gets a hos* tile reception at White House’.’*