NEW ZEALAND WAR EFFORT

Dominion, Volume 35, Issue 289, 4 September 1942, Page 4

NEW ZEALAND WAR EFFORT

Armed Forces And Money

A PEOPLE UNITED IN RESOLUTION

New Zealand’s contribution to the Allied war effort during- the three years of war was briefly referred to by the Acting-Prime Minister, Mr. Sullivan, in an address last night. He said that this country had more personnel in war uniform at the end of three years than the total of New Zealand’s armed forces in four years of the first World War. War expenditure this ’year alone would be greater than the whole sum the Dominion spent on conflict with Germany and her Allies from 1914 to 1918.

■ “We have come through three years of terrific warfare without any loss of faith in the justice of our cause or any lack of courage in supporting that faith by unstinted effort,” said Mr. Sullivan. “Today the free nations of the British Commonwealth are united in prayer from the hearts of all men and women who cherish liberty. This unity is not only a supplication for Divine guidance and spiritual reinforcement. It is also an expression of gratitude for God’s mercies. “At this time last year New Zealand was far removed from the main theatres of war. ik few months later, with the entry of Japan into the war, the scene of actual fighting came very close to this Dominion. If stimulus to our war effort had been needed, this would have furnished it. But from the moment we declared war on Germany our effort has provided a story of quick development, wide expansion, and increasing efficiency, which compares more than favourably- on the basis of population with most other countries."

Mr. •Sullivan said the composition of the fighting forces was far more varied than was the case in New Zealand’s splendid effort during the Great War. It represented a remarkably practical war effort on the part of this small nation. “The military side in a material* sense is in itself magnificent,” he said, “yet there is something more impressive, something more vital and enduring in the moral aspect of our fighting strength. In every field of active service New Zealanders have already made a deep mark in history. Our Expeditionary Forces have played, a conspicuous part in fiery campaigns ill Greece, in Crete and in the Libyan Desert. They have always impressed the enemy. Our sailor lads have shared in the Empire’s sea battles and perilous vigils and at all times have proved 'their mettle. Our airmen have roamed hostile skies from tlfo Arctic Circle to, Capricorn. Day and. night they have pounded targets in Norway, in occupied France, far into Germany and in the Middle East. Their tally of decorations betokens their gallantry and skill. “Not once in the gruelling conflicts of modern warfare have New Zealand’s fighting forces failed in upholding this country’s high traditions, in desperate tests of courage, stamina, resourcefulness, devotion to duty. Let us in our prayers thank God for such men.

Civilian Services. “In surveying three years of New Zealand’s war effort one does not forget civilian service of both men and women. It is so outstanding that it cannot be overlooked. Enterprise and energy have broken all previous records in providing the. sinews of war. Production on farms and in forests, in factories and in mines, has been maintained at extraordinarily high levels. Old industries have (been given new vigour. New industries have been created and rapidly developed. Thousands of New Zealand workers, women as well as men, have acquired skill in the manufacture of munitions. The nation has gained a great measure of self-re-liance.

“Neither least nor last in the great record of New Zealand’s -war effort has been the quiet strength of women, who know the sorrow of war, and whose daily life is 'beset with anxiety. There is heroism by the fireside as well as in the front line. “The armed forces of our great Allies, the United (States of America, are more than bolding their own in the South Pacific. The heroic armies of our Russian allies dauntlessly face probably the greatest concentration of brute force the world has ever known, Marshal Chiang Kai-shek’s gallant troops are forcing the Japanese to retreat in South-East China; our lines in Egypt are standing firm, and in the air Britain’s gradually increasing preponderance in power is making itself more strongly felt. So we all march forward stronger than ever in purpose, more united in resolution, more eager and efficient in service, and with God’s blessing, confident of victory.”