‘MUCH HAS DEEN DONE'

Wairarapa Times-Age, 31 December 1940, Page 6

‘MUCH HAS DEEN DONE'

BUT STILL GREATER EFFORT NEEDED IN CARRYING ON WAR TO VICTORY PRIME MINISTER’S NEW YEAR MESSAGE. PLEDGE TO FIGHTING MEN. (By Telegraph—Press Association.) WELLINGTON. This Day. “‘While much hits been (lone, most Tormidable tasks still lie ahead of us and we must make 1941 a year ol t remendous national ellort,” states the Prime Minister, Mr Fraser, in his New Year message to the people of New Zealand. “There is need I’mstill greater el'l'orl, lor harder work and tor still greater efficiency. “Our shipping losses present formidable difficulties which can only ho met and successfully overcome by (tie united efforts of all concerned. IToi-.-.iii,". companies, cool-store workers, transport workers, shipping companies, se:i men and waterside workers." Mr Fraser continued. “There is little I need say to remind the people of New Zealand ol (he series of events which have marked 1940. The grim progress ol the war and its effects throughout the world are familiar to all. Great perils have been surmounted by the British people. At no time have they been disheartened or dismayed. At. no time faltered in their determination '•to stand by their ideals. The peoples of the British Commonwealth are not prepared to accept the so-called new order of tyrannical dictatorship which the aggressor nations are attempting Io impose upon the world."

EVENTS & THE OUTLOOK. Tn the desperate and powerful attack that has been launched upon.democratic civilisation, some countries have fallen. For the time being their people are down but. they are not. out so long as they can hope for deliverance. Their whole future is dependent on our victory. The British Commonwealth is now the only world Power actively defending those hard-won liberties and institutions built up over a thousand years and upon which modern civilisation is based, though our courageous and determined ally. Greece, is waging a victorious campaign crowned by outstanding successes against the Italian aggressor, while the United States of America is rendering magnificent assistance by placing her vast material resources with unprecedented generosity at our service.

The people of Britain are carrying, on calmly and confidently building up their defences, increasing their army and striking back at the enemy in ever-increasing force on land, sea and air. In the past few weeks our forces in Egypt have shown their mettle and their victory is a splendid tribute to the skilful planning, dash and courage which characterises the British Army of 1941.

Throughout the year the men and women of the United Kingdom have covered themselves with honour; in the factory, in (the field, in the mines, in shipbuilding yards, and at the docks, they have J doggedly stuck to their jobs in the face of danger and death. In towns and cities scarred by (constant raids they are carrying on. Their courageous example is beyond praise, and is an inspiration to the people of the whole world.

NEW ZEALAND'S PART. Here in New Zealand we can best show our heartfelt admiration and gratitude in deeds rather than words. By organising our own war service as we are doing in accordance with our full strength and our total resources., we are assisting the whole commonwealth effort, and it is important to remember always that it is not Britain that Nazi Germany and Fascist Italy are fighting, but the British Commonwealth of Nations and its peoples, including ourselves, everyone of us, in New Zealand.

During the year much has been done in New Zealand —men have been trained and sent overseas to the theatres of war. Our soldiers, sailors, and airmen have worthily upheld the best traditions of our armed services. At home we have organised our defence forces on a firmer basis than ever before—Territorials, National Military Reserve, Home Guard, Emergency Precautions Scheme, Women’s War Service Auxiliary, all these have received active support and are performing excellent work. The national, provincial and local patriotic fund organisations have been most creditably active and successful in receiving the full, confidence and support of the public. As a insult the lives of our men overseas have been brightened. On the civil side, farmers, and workers. manufacturers, indeed those engaged generally in production and dis tribution of our commodities have met the extraordinary needs of war conditions in a most satisfactory manner. More goods are being produced and more food and raw materials are being made available to Britain. I am proud to say that no request which Britain has made to us has failed to meet with an immediate and favourable response. We would gladly do more if we could.

UNITY & CO-OPERATION. Above all. there is the need for unity. T would like to appeal once again to every man and woman to co-oper-ate in the fullest possible way with the Government in the prosecution of (he war. To waste time and energy in petty quarrels while the nation is involved in a life and death strugjc s shameful and unworthy of a ic people. This is no time ‘‘>r emphasising political differences. All otn combined energies must be concent atod on one object alone the < merit of victory. ,„ nr iv im ! The burdens of war are al . ' 1 mense—the estimated cost in ■ this financial year is £37,500000. Next year I his sum will bo mo emsec - can ’only meet Hi is huge exp now and ultimately by our own eflols from our own sources of real wea. We have the resources, Let us develop thorn to the full. even. at. the same time, al the cost of consuming less Fortunately our standards of living are among the highest in the woild and (hero are great numbers of our. people who can afford temporarily to

make the individual sacrifices which are and will be inevitably required. This does not mean that the social advance made in recent years will be lost. On the contrary, we are fighting for the maintenance of our high social and economic standards as well as for political freedom and the right, as a nation to order our own. lives as we ourselves think' fit which is the very essence of liberty. DEFENCE OF PRINCIPLES. These are principles worth defending and their full restoration when the war is over is the highest duty devolving upon Government and people alike. Those of us who remain al home must see to it that full preparation is made to look after all the men who return from overseas and to make certain that file provision made is full and generous. As Prime Minister, I would like to take this opportunity of assuring the soldiers, sailors and airmen of the Government’s determination to do everything possible to secure their successful return to civil life and in addition to assist and support all those who, because of the effects of war, may be unable to take their places again in civilian ranks.

The future of New Zealand depends upon their efforts and those of all the armed forces in securing a British victory. Without that victory there could be no return to the ways of social progress and the high level of prosperity which we have enjoyed. We realise our debt and we will honour it to the utmost of our capacity.

To our men overseas, in the navy, the army, the air force, the mercantile marine, the nurses and all other war workers, and to all of you in New Zealand. I extend cordial greetings and every wish for happiness and good fortune in the New Year,