EASTERN EMPIRE RESOURCES

Evening Star, Issue 23686, 20 September 1940, Page 6

EASTERN EMPIRE RESOURCES

ECONOMIC CONFERENCE AT DELHI NEW ZEALAND TO Bt REPRESENTED WAR SUPPLY THE CHIEF TOPIC [Special to the ‘ Stak.’] WELLINGTON, September 20. It is announced by the Prime Minister, Mr Fraser, that the Dominion will be represented at the economic conference of Empire countries, to be held at Delhi at the end of October, by Major-general Sir John -Duigan, Chief of the General Staff, Mr F. R. Picot, Director of the Internal Marketing Department, Mr J. R. Middleton, assistant Secretary of Supply, Major H. Erridge, commanding officer of the New Zealand Army Ordnance Corps, and Mr B. Taylor, assistant to the chief investigating officer of the Treasury Department. The conference will be concerned principally with war supply matters. Ite object is to ensure that the best possible use is made of all the existing and potential resources of the Eastern Empire countries for the prosecution of the war. An increase in the production of war materials, and the extension of_ the supply organisation of the Imperial Forces in the Near East are, therefore, the two principal topics for discussion.

“ With the interruption of Mediterranean communications,” added the Prime Minister, “it is essential that Empire countries on this side of the Suez should develop and co-ordinate to the fullest possible extent their economic and military resources, and the New Zealand Government believes that in 'addition to the immense benefits which will accrue to the.war effort of the Empire as a whole, the proposed arrangements will be of considerable value to the defence of this country as well.”