WIN THE WAR FIRST

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 4, Issue 189, 5 December 1941, Page 5

WIN THE WAR FIRST

DEVELOP DOMINION AFTER

LABOUR'S CANDIDATE AT OHOPE

"We have got to stand by Britain and see this war through before we do anything else," said Mr Charles Mills, official Labour candidate, when speaking at Ohope last Monday. "If you remember there were some people when the war commenced who thought that we should stand apart and let it look after iltself. That was' all wrong. We have simply got to see it through or else all we have built up will be lost."

The speaker dealt at length with comparisons between the slump years and the commencement of Labour's regime, dealing with the main points in a similar manner to his address in Whakatane. During the ensuing years industry had developed upon a tremendous scale no fewer than 3000 factories having started operations, and last year's, figures alone amounted lo 200 new ventures, The greatest problem facing the Government to-day was the war, but in spite of this the standard of living had been well maintained and it had been possible to actually increase the production of primary products in spite of the fact of the steady drain of manpower overseas. Dealing with the 2nd N.Z. Expeditionary Force, he said they were the best paid and as well equipped as any other units in the Empire. "Yet," he added, "there Avere people who said they were badly officered, poorly equipped, and could not shoat." He was sure these allegations were made solely to discredit the Government. This same Government which was doing its utmost to co-operate in the Empire's war effort. It was interesting to note that to date New Zealand had produced no less than 144,000 battledresses, 84,000 greatcoats. 44,000 service uniforms, 100,000 pairs of military boots and had also sent 35,000 battledresses to India and had promised a further 100,000 more. Small arms were manufactured as well as Bren-gun carriers and other weapons. In spite of all this drain production also continued to increase.

Soldiers on the Land Dealing with repatriation lie? said that the Government knew from experience that most men when demobilised would still desire the outdoor life. To this end it was proposed to found a number of agricultural schools at which the new sol-dier-farmers could be taught modern farming. They would then be put on the land which would be in a state of bringing in a living return the first year. Leading farmers would be asked to co-operate in the scheme. This he claimed was a far more tangible and fairer plan than that dealt out to the soldiers after the last war. At the conclusion of his address, Mr Mills was accorded a vote of thanks and confidence on the motion of Mr Christensen and Mrs Clark. The meeting concluded with a further vote of thanks to the chairman, Mr T. P. Dowling.