NEW ZEALAND FORCES

Wairarapa Times-Age, 23 March 1943, Page 3

NEW ZEALAND FORCES

SERVICE IN MANY THEATRES DEFENCE MINISTER’S SURVEY PRODUCTION WELL MAINTAINED IN DOMINION. N Z E F. Official News Service. CAIRO, March 20. “New Zealanders have done very valuble” work in the South Pacific, said the New Zealand Minister of Defence, Mr Jones, at a Press conference in Cairo. “Those' in New Caledonia are doing garrison work,” he said, “and the training they are getting will certainly prepare them for when they go into forward areas. » . Certain Royal New Zealand Rir Force squadrons took part in a battle in the Solomons area and have done a splendid job. So far as the New Zealand Navy is concerned, of only two cruisers and thre corvettes concerned, two of them took part in the sinking of one of the largest Japanese submarines quite rqpently. When you look at the corvette and think that it sank one of these large submarines, it is a great deal to its credit. The part played by the Achilles in the battle of the River Plate is well known. Then you must consider'the work of convoys and of the thousands of troops sent from New Zealand and other countries. New Zealand cruisers all played their part in this great work alongside ships of the Australian Navy. WOMEN IN FACTORIES. Referring to increased production, Mr Jones said: “We have women going into industry including some who have never worked in their lives. They have responded very well, and shop and office girls are now working in woollen mills. The full production of the country has been maintained. Americans going into the South Pacific require vast quantities of foodstuffs and have placed large contracts with the New Zealand Government. Our production at home has saved shipping enormously. We have supplied the fighting forces of the Allies as well as providing for our own and our people. “The Government is also concerned with the welfare of the men and women in all the fighting services. We haye tried everywhere to improve the conditions of the fighting forces, and have received wonderful assistance from voluntary organisations. Thhe Government is also tackling the job of rehabilitation of the men when they come home.” Asked about the purpose of his trip, the Minister said: “I wish to make contact with our troops and see how they are getting on and also to make contact With as many New Zealanders in the R.A.F. and the Navy as possible. Then I am going on to Britain, where we have many New Zealanders in all the forces and a forestry unit. We have New Zealanders in Russia and Malta. You’ll find them everywhere. I believe we have some in Iceland as well.” Mr Jones also told his questioners about the rationing system in New Zealand, adding that the Price Tribunal had justified its existance as the cost of living in New Zealand in time of war was less than any other country in the British Commonwealth. Replying to a question about increasing the population after the war by immigration, Mr Jones said: “We have not considered the question of immigration after the war. When one considers the New Zealanders who have married since they have been in Britain and the number of engagements and marriages since the Americons came to New Zealand, I don’t think there’ll be much of a problem to worry about. Some of these certainly will want to stay in New Zealand after the war or to come to New Zealand to live.” MAORIS’ FINE RECORD. To a final question regarding the Maoris, the Minister said he was very pleased mention had been made of this fine race of people who were treated in the same way as the pakehas. They had certainly justified their inclusion in the fighting forces of New Zealand. Everyone now knew their history as soldiers and the Germans and Italians had found out how they could fight. “We have another fighting Maori battalion ready trained and ready to take part in any action which may rise. We have Maori Territorial, and Home Guard forces. Their war effort has been outstanding. On farms, the Maoris are playing a great part in producing foodstuffs for our needs. One cannot speak too highly of them, not only as soldiers but as workers in New Zealand.” Mr Jones earlier visited the New Zealand forces at the Maadi base.