REPATRIATION

Wairarapa Times-Age, 28 May 1941, Page 6

REPATRIATION

ORGANISATION BEING SET UP OFFICERS WORKING FULL TIME. MR NASH ADDRESSES R S.A CONFERENCE. IBy Telegraph—Press Association.) WELLINGTON, This Day. Addressing the annual conference of the New Zealand R.S.A. on repatriation today the Acting Prime Minister. Mi Nash, said he was sure not five per cent of the people of New Zealand realised what was at stake in the present war. The greatest gleam that had come through the darkness .of the last twelve months was the amazing courage of the people of Britain. The British people had stood up to the most frightful ordeal ever experienced by civilians and had come through it saying: “No, we will not give in. We will go on.” That spirit was the gleam that would shine not only through dark days but also through difficult days that must come after.

Mr Nash said he had met the executive of the R.S.A. from time to time and with the co-operation of returned soldiers the Government would be able to avoid the mistakes that occurred with repatriation schemes after the last war. The committee and ministers had prepared a programme that had been studied by the departmental heads concerned and they had reported to the Government. The result was that two competent officers were now working full time on repatriation and the organisation would be extended this week. The Government had decided to set up a repatriation council, on Which the R.S.A. would be represented. It was imperative that all available men and materials should be used to win the war and when the war was over half the productive facilities of the world would have been destroyed. New Zealanders would have to go Without hundreds of things if they were going to help Britain to the extent necessary and to which they agreed, super-care and super-thought would have to be taken and given if returning men, particularly the disabled, were to get the most out of life in post war years.

Mr Nash said tho conflict could be resolved in one of two places only; an invasion of Germany and the destruction of German power, or an invasion of Britain and the destruction of British power. Because of their belief that it was good to fight for what was right, the British people could control their nerves and bodies under all trials. They would never give way. The Government would always be glad to cooperate with the R.S.A. to help the. men who had served.