NEW ZEALAND’S WAR EFFORT

Waikato Times, Volume 127, Issue 21178, 30 July 1940, Page 4

NEW ZEALAND’S WAR EFFORT

At the close of the voluntary stage of recruiting for the New Zealand forces the Hon. F. Jones, Minister of Defence, spoke with justifiable pride of New Zealand’s voluntary contribution to the Empire’s war strength. Since the war began eleven months ago 80,000 New Zealanders have offered their services in the Army, Navy and Air Force. That is no mean achievement, on a comparative basis, for a country with a total population of a million and a-half. It cannot be said that at any stage the Government has been embarrassed with volunteers, but it does say much for the sound patriotism of New Zealanders that a steady stream of men has been forthcoming in as great a volume as the country could cope with. It is characteristic of the voluntary system that it serves the purpose for a period—until the readily detachable surplus of men has been absorbed. But when the pressure is applied, when equality of sacrifice and consideration for efficiency in industry are the main factors, it is necessary to apply the more scientific method of conscription. In every country it has been found impossible to call up at once the full potential military strength. Equipment of the armed forces, dislocation in industry, means of transport and many other factors have to be considered. Thus even in Britain nothing like the full manpower has yet been taken into the armed forces, although the latest draft brings the number of registered fighting men to over four millions. Although it is the most distant of the Dominions from the theatres of war, New Zealand will be the first Dominion to reach the “peak” in the Empire air training scheme. Therefore, even if New Zealand has not yet been able to make an equal contribution in the manufacture of aeroplanes, arms and munitions, it has made up its quota in other directions. Of course the limit is still far from reached in war effort, but the work is steadily gathering momentum. Before men can be taken into the forces in greatly increased numbers the production of equipment must be speeded. Developments in the factories of New Zealand are needed urgently. The Hon. D. G. Sullivan declares that “at the moment we are not concerned about any question of State versus private enterprise. To get the munitions at the greatest speed in the most efficient way is our only concern.” If that policy is followed there are many private engineering establishments which with reorganisation should be able to make a valuable contribution.