WAR SUPPLIES

Auckland Star, Volume LXXII, Issue 180, 1 August 1941, Page 6

WAR SUPPLIES

FOR NEW ZEALAND

RELEASED BY CANADA

VAST UNITED STATES EFFORT

'•Much of the defence equipment Vew Zealand requires will come from Canada." said the Rt. Hon. .!. G. C'oates, a member of the War Cabinet, in replying to a civic welcome extended to him on his return to Auckland yesterday afternoon. after a two months' mission to the United States and Canada. He expressed appreciation of the assistance of both the United Stales and Canada in arranging increased war supplies for the Dominion. Mr. Coates said Canada was making available to New Zealand some of the defence material which had been produced for use in Canada, and the release of this material was an indication of Canada's desire to aid the effort of this. Dominion. He praised the work of Canadian war industries and the training organisation built up during the war, particularly that connected with the Empire air scheme. Xew Zealandcrs in the air force also spoke highly of the hospitality shown them by the Canadian people, and had '"made a name for themselves"' in Canada. Speaking of his mission to the United States. Mr. Coales said he was associated with the Hon. Mr. Langstone, who was dealing with thetrade aspect. Assisted -by Colonel A. B. Williams and Mr. E. L. Officer. Mr. Coates concentrated on the problem of "weapons, munitions and warlike stores." New Zealand's position, he said, differed from that of the other countries of the British Commonwealth in that it was less equipped to manufacture war supplies. Americans and the War Relating his first impressions of the United States, he said that west of the Mississippi the people were 100 per cent united in their determination to aid Britain, but in the Middle West the altitude was not so clear. This was due, at least partly, to lack of understanding. He recalled meeting an isolationist who thought Xew Zealand was coverned from Britain, and did not know Xew Zealanders were among the Anzacs. of whom he had often heard. He then asked Mr. Coates: "What are you here for?" When Mr. Coates informed him and asked if he was prepared to help he replied: •Rather."

■President Roosevelt is receiving tremendous support, from the Republican side." continued Mr "The part Mr. Wendell Willkie is playing is something we can greatlv admire. He is doing his ihmost to achieve complete unity in aid of Britain and to prepare for any action which may he necessary in "defence of freedom and democratic rights."

In his invest icaiions. Mr. Coatcs said lie was allowed free entry into the production plants and training camps throughout the United States J here were thousands of acres where new machinery and tools were being made ready to manufacture weapons and supplies n.\- v rWHien he was visiting a largo factor. which had just been constructed and was ready to begin production a leading industrialist said to him: 'Were nearly ready t<, start the wheels, and when we do well we can all go to town."' ! Tnornioiis Production Tanks were rolling o(T the assembly lines at the rale of ]fi i,, IS a day at one factory alone near Dctruit. and aeroplane construe;ion was developing on an i-normuus scale. '•And those tanks, planes and other ! war machines are being shipped to Britain and the Middle Easi as fa»t as they are being produced " said Mr. Coatee. -The United States «! at work, and the heart-- of ihe ! American people are in the wor'l- i \\ nen our armies get that up-to-dat-'-! matt-rial, and enough ol it there will be a different story." Among those who assisted the mission were Mr. Harry Hopkii >• who said to him, "We don't want £?" J ea \ e thii s country until you ' ai e ]KTfec:ly satisfied you have "got what you want.- Mr. If. L. Stimson Secretary of War. Colonel Frank Knox Secretary of the Xaw and of r Stat ! e iner XVollcs - r n'l^.Pec"retary VaLfe T w el«nu-l by the ftfthl , l\r J - A - C - A ""m. on behal: rnpHn?"? l, ? of Auckland, and by tne Hon. F. Jones. Minister of Defence on behalf or the- Governmem i..nrs .-aid ;],,. mission h».] J- 1K - '' •••••hiJibN. rr,i:ii<. and ■',•■ ":'•• ! ":- '-Ml ..p.-re, j ;■,,] M: ,-..,• wiioru-..