FORESTRY UNIT

Dominion, Volume 37, Issue 5, 1 October 1943, Page 6

FORESTRY UNIT

Third Returning From Britain DEMAND FOR TIMBER It was announced last night by the Prime Minister, Mr. Fraser, that as a result of arrangements made with the United Kingdom authorities, approximately a third of the Fore'stry Group which had been serving in Britain since 1940 was being Wrought back to New Zealand. The object of the Government in recalling expert bushineu and sawmillers was to afford muchneeded relief in the timber industry, upon which continually increasing demands were being made by both the United States and our own armed forces in New Zealand and in the South Pacific area. The return of These highly-skilled men, who had rendered splendid service to the war effort in the United Kingdom, would provide considerable and timely assistance in meeting one of the urgent war needs of industry. The occasion had been marked, said Mr. Fraser, by an exchange ot telegrume between British and New Zealand Governments. In a message to the 1 rime Minister the Secretary ot State tor. Dominion Affairs states that the British Government had seen the members ot the New Zealand Forestry Group go with much regret. Their contribution |o th ( e common resources had been of the greatest value, and they had worthily upheld in Great Britain the tradition of New Zealand. The people ( of Britain wished them all prosperity and success in the tasks which lay before them. . Mr Fraser has replied expressing warm appreciation of the message. The recognition of their contribution to he common cause, he said, would -pleasure. “We are most grateful cn tlie British people for the ready they extended to those men, who will .1 know, be much gratified by the message of encouragement for the work which now lies ahead of them,” added the Prime Minister. „ , '