EMPIRE RESOURCES.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 62, Issue 86, 22 January 1942, Page 3

EMPIRE RESOURCES.

mobilisation discussed. (United Press Association— Copyright.. LONDON, January 20. Sir Earle Page, the Australian special envoy to Britain, discussed at a meeting‘of the Royal Empire Society the best way of mobilising the immense resources of the Empire to meet the danger in the Ear East. * Emphasising the importance of the Indian and Pacific possessions of the Empire, lie said: “These areas comprise three-quarters of the torritoiy, maintain six-sevenths of the population of the Empire, and produce resources which are indispensable to its trade development and prosperity. These resources are also indispensiblc to carrying on a modern war, and especially to America and Britain in maintaining war production.

“Seventy per cent of the world’s output of tin is produced in ibis area, and 88 per cent, of its rubber, while 70 per cent. of the world’s wool is produced in Australia, South Africa, and Now Zealand.

“The Empire’s strategy in this war,’’ he continued, “has never been determined hv what wo ought to do or by what is host to he done, but by the paucity of men and equipment available and ready.”