NEW ZEALAND’S PART

Press, Volume LXXVIII, Issue 23588, 16 March 1942, Page 4

NEW ZEALAND’S PART

“A BASE FOR FINAL VICTORY ” WAR EFFORTS IN AUSTRALIA “Once more the spirit of Australia find? expression in common agreement on the most vital matter that has ever engaged free people, and one result is that New Zealand will be a base f final victory in the united Ttus was a statement made by the Mmiste for Industries and Commerce (the Horn D G Sullivan) in a broadcast add last evening. As in New Zealand the (iffpcts of the war were being felt m Australia, and a few days ago the Australian Minister responsible announced that bread and milk deliveries would be curtailed, pointing out the saving in petrol, tyres. v and motor-vehicles, and that such curtailment would release able-bodied men for national se ™ lc eA reduction was also being made in the number of types of bread. There had been excessive buying of some kinds of goods m the Commonwealth. said Mr Sullivan, and the Government proposed to rationalise the sale of some commodities, such as tea. Artificial shortages had occurred m some localities* but. as in the case of New Zealand, steps had been taken to overcome them. Sometimes manufacturers were permitted to use only,pa per cent, of their supplies. Petrol had been severely rationed, being allowed only for essential purposes, and rigid control was exercised to ensure that there was compliance with the regulations, The industry involving gas producers had been declared an essential it was announced that a number of non-essential industries in Australia would be closed down and that the plant and workers would be diverted to war work, said the Minister. This applied to such goods as electrical washing machines and musical instruments. Transfers of telephones had been prohibited, except in cases of essential organisation. In botn Victoria and New South Wales new regulations governed the sale and distribution of liquor. No less than £78.000 worth of waste materials had been collected in the last few months. Compared with pre-war conditions, the rigid black-out system for buildings and shop windows made the appearance of Australian cities very different indeed, said Mr Sullivan. The Australian 'people were aware of the danger confronting them,, and were preparing to meet it with determination In the principal cities late shopping nights had been eliminated. A war loan had been oversubscribed by £10,000,000. , As the result of the visit of the Rt. Hon. J. G. Coates and himself to the Commonwealth, satisfactory arrangements had been made regarding the importation of goods needed in New Zealand,’ including those for war requirements. and they had been able to accomplish a great deal. In Australia he had found no panic, but he had found anger, and an unshakeable determination to defend Australia to the last man, and a willingness to meet any hardship or danger. There was a determination to fight to the end, and the end would be victory. The feeling towards New Zealand was one of close friendship, and co-operation, and it was realised that apart from kinship injury to one of the two countries meant injury to the other.