The Bay of Plenty Times MONDAY, JANUARY 13th, 1941 THE COST OF THE WAR

Bay of Plenty Times, Volume LXIX, Issue 13237, 13 January 1941, Page 2

The Bay of Plenty Times MONDAY, JANUARY 13th, 1941 THE COST OF THE WAR

War expenditure is miming into astronomical figures, and the heaviest burden is falling on the British Empire. But all countries. including neutrals, are spending- comparatively huge sums m preparing for the defence of their respective countries. F Roosevelt is to ask Congress to vote a Budget of 1/.000.0Q0.00U dollars I'£3.400.000.000) in order that the country may be prepared for eventualities. Britain has been spending very heavily. IN hen Mr JstanJev Baldwin was Prime Minister, away back m 193/. Farliament voted £1.000.000.000 for defence, and the expenditure has been accelerated since. Britain has had to rely upon the 1 lilted •States for war material, and has had to comply with the "cash and c-cn-ry" clause of the Neutrality Act. For sixteen months Britain has been purchasing increasing quantities of material in America, and it is said that her cash resources will be exhausted about next September, but the United States will not let Britain down, and the Bill which is now before Congress is to give the President wide powers for furthering aid to Britain. Britain is also drawing upon the Dominions for man-power and materials, and these are being supplied without stint. India is now a great arsenal East of Suez, and is being well supported by Australia, where munitions oi various kinds are being produced in increasing quantities. Canada has perhaps contributed the largest share of all the Dominions for the war effort. Canada has supplied man-power, aeroplanes, tanks, ships and guns, and is training hundreds of airmen from all parts of the Empire. Canada is capable of supplying much man-power, for she is able to draw on the United States, where the enterprising vouth are only too eager for adventure. Quite a number of airmen from the United States, and trained in Canada are now in Britain., and taking part in the many air raids in Germany. The war expenditure, though exceptionally heavy, will bring its results. The money is not being squandered but it is-being judiciously spent _on the right kind of material. New Zealand's war efforts are trifling compared with Canada and Australia, nevertheless, having regard to our small population, we are doing our full share. We are supplying one of the essentials of war, and that is foodstuffs, also wool/ Our efforts may be trifling, but they are almost up to the limit of our capacity. We are supplying nian-power, which when counted up will be found to be a high ratio of those of military age and fitness. And the men we are sending to the war zone are of extraordinarily good calibre, and will do credit to New Zealand. When one surveys the position, and realizes what has been accomplished by the British Empire, it is impossible to get away from the belief that Britain, the lone policeman, must catch the criminal. Victory complex has seized the British Commonwealth, and we are justified in taking an optimistic view, when those with inside knowledge are confident of victory.