DOMINION UNITY

Wairarapa Times-Age, 6 December 1939, Page 11

DOMINION UNITY

ASSISTANCE FOR BRITAIN. PRAISE FOR NEW ZEALAND. Commenting upon the united front presented by the Dominions on the outbreak of the war. “The Times" (London) says:— I “It is in the air that the assistance of the Dominions can be immediately most useful. In Canada and New Zealand, as well as in Australia, steps are being taken not only to send airmen already trained but to maintain and increase the supply by organising systems of intensive training. In all three Dominions, moreover, recruiting has begun for land forces to be used at home or abroad as may be found most useful, and the response of volunteers has been so great and so prompt as to show that there will be no difficulty in doubling, if it should be necessary, the numbers in the original programme. “Their forces will not be sent off at once. In these days of international surprises and quick changes of front, the Dominions, especially Australian and New Zealand, must make certain that they themselves will not be subject to attack before denuding themselves of trained defenders. In addition to raising these contingents the Dominions are busy enrolling and training men for home defence. “Success will depend almost as much upon supplies as upon man-power, and here the Dominions are well to the fore. Canada is busily at work turning herself into an arsenal for the manufacture of arms and munitions, especially aeroplanes and anti-submarine craft, and organising the provision of essential foodstuffs and raw materials as well. “In New Zealand machinery is being created and will be set rapidly in motion to organise an unprecedented and sustained effort to increase production. Negotiations have been opened for the sale to Great Britain of the whole surplus of butter, cheese, meat, and wool, and with the wholehearted approval of the producers’ organisations it has been decided that no advantage will be taken of war conditions in fixing prices."