NEW ZEALAND AT WAR.

Auckland Star, Volume LXX, Issue 219, 16 September 1939, Page 8

NEW ZEALAND AT WAR.

The firm resolution of the Government that this Dominion shall play its worthy part in the war effort of the British Commonwealth of Nations was expressed in memorable words by Mr. Fraser yesterday. His whole statement afforded gratifying evidence that the Government, fully realising what is at stake in the war, is determined to take command of the situation which the war has created in this country. Mr. Fraser spoke yesterday no longer as a party leader but as a national leader, as a man not only fitted to rise to a great occasion, but already risen to it. There are, he said, "overwhelming reasons which call for our greatest efforts." Those efforts arc to be made after consulting the United Kingdom Government, every one of whose suggestions has been accepted. On the military side New Zealand will train pilots, observers and air gunners for the Royal Air Force, and will also train a spccial force for service anywhere, "as circumstances may require." On the civil side the Dominion will send increased and increasing quantities of produce to the United Kingdom. To this end arrangements are being made for the Government to buy dairy produce, meat and wool (and, later, other exportable products) in bulk, for direct sale to the United Kingdom Government. Under emergency conditions such far-reaching arrangements can be made quickly and with relatively little difficulty. So far, so good. The greater difficulty arises in so organising the country as to enable it to fn'."! its obligations on the production side, at r. time when many thousands of men will be withdrawn from industry. The specific measures the Government has in mind have yet to be revealed, and the statements of Mr. Fraser and Mr. Nash must therefore be regarded as preliminary. The average man and woman is still awaiting a general indication of the manner in which their desire to give war service—and to feel that they are giving it in a worth-while way—can be gratified. There was much emphasis in yesterday's statements on financial requirements, the importance of which is obvious; but the spirit of the country is such that men and women want to be doing, as well as pacing.