CALLED MIRACULOUS

Wairarapa Times-Age, 1 October 1943, Page 3

CALLED MIRACULOUS

BRITAIN’S WAR PRODUCTION ACHIEVEMENT MR DONALD NELSON’S SURVEY MAXIMUM EFFORT STILL NEEDED IN ORDER TO SAVE LIVES & HASTEN VICTORY (British Official Wireless.) (Received This Day, 10.5 a.m.) RUGBY, September 30. “Considering Britain’s handicaps, what, she has accomplished in mass production has been miraculous,” the United States war production chief, Mr Donald Nelson, stated when reviewing his visit to Britain. He stressed the fact that he had been greatly im- - (tressed by British production, which, he said, was good even by the highest standards. The United States had supplied munitions equivalent to adding one-third to British production and Canadian production had made a remarkable achievement, particularly in shipbuilding, and Canadian launchings at present were equal in tonnage to the British, Mr Nelson said. We no longer had a shortage of materials or manpower. What was needed now was to buckle to the job and get on with production. The essential factor at the moment was time. “We cannot have' too much too soon,” Mr Nelson declared. He added that the next few months would be critical. His main impression after touring Britain and listening to the comments of the American forces was of the shortness of the time and the immensity of the effort necessary. “We need superhuman jobs from workers and management in the next few months,” said Mr Nelson. “We have our materials and facilities ail in shape. Now we must act like a real fighting champion who redoubles his efforts for the kill when he sees his opponent groggy. The great lesson we have learned from recent battle experience is that the more materials we have the more lives we save. There is safety in numbers in battle, whether air or military. The more who go out the more will come back.” Mr Nelson emphasised that the present problem was to convert recent battle experience into the production of munitions demanded by the changing necessities of military operations. Particularly, immense quantities of certain types of aircraft, landing craft and transport of all varieties were now urgently and immediately required. . Mr Nelson said the United States had profited greatly by British experience and help in her own munitions production. Regarding main materials, MiNelson declared that rubber was no longer a problem in itself and that adequate supplies of synthetic rubber were now in sight. The tin ..position was now in good shape, likewise wool —the latter due partly to British cooperation and largely to the removal of large stocks from Australia to the United States for a central pool.