THE WAR EFFORT

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 61, Issue 23, 7 November 1940, Page 3

THE WAR EFFORT

MR NASH REVIEWS POSITION. COST MAY BE DOUBLED NEXT YEAR. (Per Press Association). AUCKLAND, November 6. The growing strength of the forces of New Zealand, both at home and overseas, was reviewed by the Alinister for Finance (the Hon. "W. Nash) in an address to-night. About 1400 persons were present. The Alinister discussed in particular the expansion ot the Armv and the Air Force.

“Every man who goes overseas with the Army costs £7OO for equipment, and £7 5s a week for keep,” Mr Nash said, when referring to war expenditure. He said that at present there wore 20,960 men of the New Zealand Expeditionary Force overseas, 10,706 in training, and 6487 waiting to be called up, a total of 38,153. It was estimated that thero would be p total of 30,000 men serving overseas before the end of the year. AU Nash said the number of men in the Air Force serving overseas was 890 in the Air Force proper, 95 in the Fleet Air Arm, and 71 in Canada. Since the outbreak of war, 791 men had been sent overseas and more were to follow. It was planned under accelerated progress to train a total of 4382 Air Force personnel annually. There wore 3005 New Zealanders serving in either the Royal Navy or in New Zealand naval work. *

The total expenditure on defence for the year ended on March 3 ,11935, was £1,003,289, or 12s lid a head, he added. This rose to £1,882,716 in 1938, and to £8,593,639, or £5 5s 3d a head this year. “I think that will double in the next 12 months,” the Minister said.

He also spoke of the important work ’done in building 91 aerodromes in New Zealand, and said that a Pan American Airways’ representative who had visited Auckland had said that the aerodromes at Whenuapai and Hobsonville were better than anything they had in the United States.

Urged to Work Harder. The Minister emphasised the need of those who were not fighting to work harder to produce the goods necessary to win the war. When, a total of nearly 60,000 men, including those on homo defence, had been taken out of production, it was impossible still to have the same standard of living, unless , those left worked harder and produced more. “I am asking everybody here to use all the influence they can have in their jobs, and among their friends, to get them to work harder than they have ever done before to bring the goods 1 into being that will enable us to keep the soldiers in a fit condition,” he said. He gave a promise that if the workers put their backs into it, and produced more goods he would see that they got them. “Both the Achilles and the Leander have done remarkable work,” said Mr Nash. “We get news fairly regularly of what the Leander is doing, and when that story is told we will be just as proud of all her men as we are of the men of the Achilles.”

The following resolution was declared by the chairman to have boon carried by an overwhelming majority, only a few voices being heard in dissent: “That this large gathering of Auckland citizens, after hearing Mr Nash, places on record its wholehearted confidence in him and the present Labour Government of New Zealand, and gives its sincere assurance to the Prime Alinister of its loyalty and assistance in carrying out the splendid work done in the interests of the people of New Zealand.”