The Waikato Times. MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 18, 1939. EMPIRE CO-OPERATION

Waikato Times, Volume 125, Issue 20912, 18 September 1939, Page 6

The Waikato Times. MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 18, 1939. EMPIRE CO-OPERATION

Complete understanding apparently exists among Britain and all the Dominions regarding the conduct of Avar operations. New Zealand s action in training and equipping a special force for service wherever it is required is being followed almost precisely by Australia and Canada. South Africa is in a somewhat different position because of her own special local problems, but she will no doubt be in a position in the near future to make a substantial contribution to the common cause.

Britain and France at the moment are not asking for additional man-power, excepting for the air force. Indeed, France has so many men under arms that she has found it wise to send large numbers back into the industries until they are required for active service. In such circumstances it would manifestly be unwise to withdraw men from the essential productive industries in the Dominions until they are urgently required. It does not now seem probable that the Allies will be able to dispatch large numbers of men to Poland, and since operations on the Western Front are limited by tremendously strong defence lines, there seems to be ample man-power available in the meantime.

Conditions may change at any moment, hoAvever, and the Dominions, acting in concert with Britain, intend to proceed with the training of large numbers of men so that they will be ready to act promptly when the call comes. It was announced immediately on the outbreak of war that the Allied strategy would be carefully concealed, and at the moment it is futile to guess what developments may occur. The Dominions, acting on the advice of Britain, can only make their utmost effort to prepare for any emergency, and that is what they are doing. Australia has attempted to fix a figure for the war budget, increasing expenditure from £33,000,000 to £45,000,000, but that, of course, may not be the ultimate cost.

New Zealand has apparently not yet arrived at any definite conclusion regarding the probable cost, but when the War Expenses Account is established and stock is taken of the position a more detailed announcement may be expected. It is, of course, not yet clear to what extent funds originally intended for other purposes can be diverted to the war account, though substantial progress must have been made, because Mr Nash has promised a statement regarding taxation and other matters for this week. The Government has expressed the desire to finance the campaign as far as possible from revenue and taxation, and further light on that aspect of the matter may be expected when the proposals are placed before Parliament. There is a point beyond which taxation cannot be increased without definitely damaging the country’s efficiency, and it will be the duty of Parliament to decide the point where taxation must end and borrowing begin.