REVIEW OF TOUR

Waikato Times, Volume 127, Issue 21220, 17 September 1940, Page 6

REVIEW OF TOUR

WAR EFFORT EVERYWHERE NEW ZEALAND PLANS (United Press Asn.—Elec. Tel. Copyright NEW YORK. Sept. 15 In a despatch from Honolulu to the New York Times Mr Harold Callender, one of the party of American journalists who visited New Zealand recently, reviews his aerial tour of the southern and eastern Pacific. “Everywhere, beginning at Honolulu, where the bulk of the United States Fleet is stationed, airfields are being expanded, and there is active preparation for war,” he says. “In New Caledonia I encountered a miniature revolution ag3inst the Vichy Governor by people who wanted to stick with the Australians. “New Zealand and Australia are busy expanding defences and training troops for home and oversea service, although without the urgency spurring Britain, and perhaps without full realisation of the gravity of Britain’s position. “Through the Netherlands Indies Singapore and Hongkong the scene is similar barbed-wire barriers, machine-gun posts, and new airfields equipped with the latest bombers, expanding mobile armies, and swift naval vessels patrolling the coasts. Fate of Many Millions “The echoes of Nazi bombs on Britain are heard around the Pacific, for the outcome of the attack on England will determine the fate of many millions of brown, yellow and white men. “The British Empire means much in the Far East—perhaps more than ever before. Many now realise that a comparatively benign European rule may end in the Dutch and British territories if Britain goes down or loses her sea power. “Significantly, when discussing the future of the Far East, the question is invariably, ‘What is going to happen to Britain?’ That seems to be the crux of the problem. “American Navy, Army and Air Force officers speak covetously of several British islands in the midPacific. These, like Singapore, probably could be had for the asking. “The fadt of this long air journey possibly may have strategic implications. What the Clipper can do a bomber can. New Zealand and Manila are now five days from San Francisco for either the Clipper or large naval aeroplanes. This fact, with the survival of British sea power, may be a decisive influence for peace in. the Far East.”