MORE STRIKING FACTS OF N.Z. WAR EFFORT

Auckland Star, Volume LXXIV, Issue 82, 7 April 1943, Page 4

MORE STRIKING FACTS OF N.Z. WAR EFFORT

MR. JOMS ABROAD Impressive Expansion Of Fighting Services British Official Wireless Rec. 2.30 p.m. RUGBY, April 6. The New Zealand Minister of Defence, who arrived in London today, said his main mission was to see the New Zealand forces in whatever theatre of war they might be serving and establish any contacts calculated to assist himself as Minister of Defence. Speaking of the Pacific war, Mr. Jones said the Japanese had suffered enormous losses, but as a fighter he was a tough nut, and it could not be said yet that everything was safe in the Pacific. The Japanese Zero fighter had not lived up to the high reputation gained early in the war. It was possible this was due to the loss of well-trained personnel. He was most impressed with the rapidity and extent of the work done by the Americans at various air bases, and was hopeful the United States would be able to provide the aircraft necessary for New Zealand to engage in offensive as well as defensive operations. Like Australia, New Z&aland had always placed the highest value upon aircraft as the best and quickest way to deal with attempts at invasion. They had been confirmed in that view by the successful operations in and around New Guinea and the Solomons. . The New Zealand Air Force had grown rapidly from about 100 personnel in 1936 to the position to-day, when 10,000' were serving overseas and 25,000 training at home. New Zealand owed much to the advice of RAF. officers during the two critical years before the war. Compared with the last war New Zealand was in a different position, as now she had to maintain a standing army for defence as well as 30m in the fighting overseas. Mr Jones revealed that New Zealand had 20,000 troops in the various Pacific bases, though they, had not yet taken part in the fighting. The New Zealand Navy had grown from 700 men before the war to 7000. 20QO of whom were serving with the Royal Navy. „ ' ~ , . , Mr. Jones said New Zealand had 1 over 160,000 men in the fighting forces, or about a tenth of the population. Despite this great withdrawal of workers New Zealand could show notable advances in industry. This had been possible because of New Zealander's full realisation of the vital necessity to help the United Kingdom and the United Nations to win the war. Longer hours ,were being worked. Women and wives of men in the forces had entered industry of all sorts, and many old people, including pensioners, had been ready to give up benefits to go back to work. To save shipping, New Zealand had undertaken to play a full part in feeding the American forces in the South Pacific. The output of munitions was five times what it was before the war. New Zealand was now making much of her own small arms ammunition, mortars, hand grenades, and Bren gun carriers, but still had to rely upon abroad for guns, etc. Of 77,000 engaged in the manufacturing industry, 58 per cent were working for the armed forces, the Government or certain export contracts.