The Waikato Times. WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 8, 1939 NEW ZEALAND’S WAR EFFORT

Waikato Times, Volume 125, Issue 20956, 8 November 1939, Page 6

The Waikato Times. WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 8, 1939 NEW ZEALAND’S WAR EFFORT

Mr P. Fraser’s visit to Britain may result in serious consideration being given to the transfer of men and machinery from public works to primary production in order to expand New Zealand’s war effort, according to advice cabled from London. It does not matter that such a course has been advocated in New Zealand for many months; if the discussions in London serve to convince Mr Fraser of the absolute necessity of such a policy his visit will have been well worth while. Apparently Mr Fraser is seeking an indication from Britain whether the transfer of effort on a large scale is warranted by Britain’s requirements. There seems to be little doubt that Britain will ask the Dominion to make its maximum productive effort as a contribution to the Empire war programme. There has apparently been some doubt in the mind of the New Zealand Government whether it would be wise unduly to expand the Dominion’s primary industries in war time in view of the possibility that when peace returns the markets will be unable to absorb the increased production, thus placing the industry again in a difficult position. But it must be remembered that the first objective is to win the war. If Britain goes down before the might of Germany because industrial production has failed, the markets will be ruined in any case and all will be lost. In time of war it is unfortunately necessary to build not only that which will serve in peace but that which will win the war, leaving to the final settlement the problems that must inevitably rise from the war. There is the comforting thought that whatever New Zealand can produce will not be too much for useful consumption in the markets of the world in either peace or war. In that respect a great deal will depend upon the nature of the final settlement. Underconsumption is notoriously evident in many countries, and if the war is to serve its highest purpose the production which New Zealand is asked to expand should find new and eager markets when the barriers are swept away. It cannot be imagined that when this war is over the world will be allowed to fall back into the condition of want, restriction and continual tension that existed before the Nazis’ challenge was accepted. But whatever adjustments may take place after the war, there is no question that every part of the Empire must concentrate its greatest efforts on the main objective of winning the war. It is clear that New Zealand could, if properly organised, produce a great deal more of the foodstuffs and materials that Britain requires. But that increase in production cannot be left to chance or to industries which have been deprived of the power to produce more. A conscious and intelligent effort must be made to organise, equip and finance the industries so that an increased productive effort can be made possible. If Mr Fraser brings back that conviction from Britain, New Zealand will be far more likely to play its full part in the Empire’s war programme. The Minister is discussing many other related subjects, and the potential value of his visit is already clearly evident.