PEOPLE OF BRITAIN

Wairarapa Times-Age, 14 June 1943, Page 3

PEOPLE OF BRITAIN

CARRYING ON CALMLY & QUIETLY NEW ZEALAND MINISTER'S IMPRESSIONS. CONCLUSION OF EXTENDED TOUR. (By Telegraph—Press Association —Copyright) LONDON, June 12. One of the things that impressed him most was the “wonderful work” being done in munition factories, where workers worked long hours turning out enormous quantities of war materials, said the New Zealand Minister of Defence, Mr Jones, in an interview concerning his stay in England. He was also impressed by the many new improvements in armaments giving an increase in fire power. Mr Jones's next chief impression was the way in which people in the areas which had been badly blitzed and in others which were still being attacked, were carrying on calmly and quietly their daily tasks. He paid a tribute to Lord Woolton for his “splendid job” in connection with rationing. “Wherevbr I have been the people, despite the shortages of certain commodities, seem well fed and healthy. There is no doubt that rationing has been carried out with very little friction. The same applies to Dr. Dalton. Despite the clothing restrictions one must say the people appear remarkably well dressed, particularly women.” Mr Jones said his mission to Britain was to see New Zealanders and make contact with the people responsible for the direction of the war. He had travelled very nearly from Land's End to John o’ Groats, meeting and talking with New Zealanders of all the forces, and in addition with their Majesties. He had met and with all members of the War Cabinet and many other prominent people. He would return to New Zealand with a valuable knowledge of the war’s ramifications.

There is no doubt that Mr Jones’s visit has been a success. He was always approachable and friendly and was never too busy to see anybody, never surrounding himself with the atmosphere of a “very busy man.” He skilfully kept politics in the background, but never hesitated to answer fully any questions. Wherever he went New Zealanders, particularly those in isolated areas, gladly welcomed him and his secretary, Mr F. Sherwood, and listened avidly for news of “back home.”