EQUIPMENT FROM CANADA.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 61, Issue 248, 1 August 1941, Page 3

EQUIPMENT FROM CANADA.

MR COATES reviews activity.

(P.A.) AUCKLAND, July 31. Saying that much equipment New Zealand required would come from Canada from materials that had been reserved for Canadian defence, the Rt. Hon. J. G. Coates paid a warm tribute to the Way ho had been received in both the United States and Canada, at a civic reception in the Town Hail ‘Concert : Chamber this afternoon, on bis return by the Pacific Clipper. Mr Coates was greeted with iottci cheers as ho entered. He was Welcomed by the Mayor (Mr J. A. 0. Alltirn), un behalf of citizens, and by the Minister for Defence (the Hon. F. Jones) on behalf of the Government. Mr Jones said the mission, from the evidence he had already, had been a success. The Government had been delighted with the information received from Mr Coates While he was abroad; but he felt sure Mr Coates still had a surprise packet for them. They would be pleased to have him back in the War Cabinet, where hts one aim, With that of the Government, was prosecution of the war. Mr Coates said that lie aim the Minister for Lands (the Hon. F. LangStone) had decided on the way to America to divide into two parties. Mr Langstono, with, his'team, of othcers, would attend to the tfado side of the mission, and he, with Colonel Williams and Mr E. Officer (Mr Coates’s secretary) would deal with weapons, munitions, and warlike stores. This covered a very wide field, includhirr under the Lend or Lease Act not only tanks, aeroplanes, launches, and all forms of surface craft but also all that the country needed to maintain its maximum war effort. Nc\V Zealand was the Dominion least able to produce what its men required in these directions. .. , , There was no question of doubt ? Mr Coates said, that west of the Mississippi the people were out 100 per cent, to aid Britain. In the Middle M est, however, things were a little different. Mr Roosevelt had difficulties and problems ; but the attitude Mr Wendell Willkie was taking was wholly admirable. America at Work. \ It should not be thought that America was not working. A few weeks ago only a few tanks weregoing from the United States. Now 16 to 18 a. day Were coming from one factory in Detroit alone. America was at work. Its heart was in the work, and when our men got the. up-to-date equipment that was ;being produced, and enough of it, it Would be another story. Mr Coates said he immediately made contact with th 6 British Purchasing Commission and the British Commission, and they ‘had l been a great/ help. Mr Harry Hopkins, supervisor of the lend or lease programme, had given advice and assistance of great Value. He had said: “We don’t want you to leave this country until you are perfectly satisfied you have got What you want.” It would be a great help to be able to drop him a line saying there was something he could do for us. The Secretary for War (Mr H. L. Btimson), the Uhder-SeCretaiy for War (Judge Paterson), the Secretary for the Navy (Colonel Frank Knox), and the State Department had all been most helpful. It Would- be heartening to New Zealanders to know that America, as well as helping in other ways, was preparing to distribute ships in a way that would be of assistance. Practical help Was coming’from Canada. Men in training there spoke highly of the kindness and hospitality of the citizens. The NeW Zealanders, incidentally, had made a name for themselves which stood very high. Much of the equipment that Was required would come from Canada. Mr Coates said the equipment Was actually required by Canadians for their own defence; but they had said: “We know your boys have had a tough time, and we know your position only too well. Take some of the equipment we have reserved for cur defence to provide for your defence down under.”