RESIGNATION OF REWI ALLEY

Press, Volume LXXVIII, Issue 23750, 23 September 1942, Page 3

RESIGNATION OF REWI ALLEY

CHINESE INDUSTRIAL COOPERATIVES NEW ZEALANDER’S WORK IN FAR EAST IRec. 11 p.m.) CHUNGKING. Sept, 21. Mr Rewi Alley, the New Zealander who is credited with, the developing of the Chinese Industrial Co-opera-tives, has resigned from the post of Acting-Director of Industrial Co-oper-atives.

Mr Alley is a son of Mrs C. M. Alley, Russley road, Upper Riccarton, Christchurch. His brother, Mr G. T. Alley, is in charge of the New Zealand Country Library Service. Writing last year in the “Saturday Evening Post,” Mr Edgar Snow described Rewi Alley as "unique because he has achieved greatness in a country where few foreigners ever manage to create an authentic ripple.” In July, 1838, when the Chinese Government took him from the Shanghai Settlement Council to become chief adviser of Chinese Industrial Co-operatives, that organisation was only a name. More than 90 per cent, of China's prewar industry was already destroyed or immobilised. Alley picked up the pieces and improvised a new conception of industry—native products to fillChina's empty markets. His achievement has been such that Alley has become an international figure, and Indusco is being studied by other Oriental leaders. Alley’s early years were lived m Christchurch. During IRe Great War he seryed with distinction in the New Zealand Division. It was at the front that he learned to hate the wastage of human life—a hatred which has been the mainspring of his work in China. After the war he went farming with a friend. Until the bottom dropped out of the wool market, tilings went smoothly. Then he gave up his half-interest in the run and r<*ta«ned to the city. Eventually some former war comrades offered him a job as factory inspector for the Shanghai Municipal Council. Here again, after the waste of war and the waste of depression, he was confronted with the waste of human life. Factory inspection had always been a racket m Shanghai before he took command as chief inspector, but he made factory reform a serious business. With the Japanese attack in 1937 China was doomed, Alley considered, unless she found a method to mobilise her labour power and resources in a scientific way. Eventually he found the solution. It was his idea of a new type of production, fitted both to wartime needs and the social structure of China—small, decentralised industries spread over the towns and villages instead of concentrated in the cities, industries in which labour and capital could really work together. His scheme was Adopted, and before long dozens of professional people, returned students, and technicians began to volunteer to work for wages that scarcely paid for their food and shelter. Alley’s spirit of the “new heroism of construction” proved contagious. During the first two years he covered more than 18,000 miles, in a land wuh practically no railways and few motor roads. , “Who can say," wrote Edgar Snow, “that in the bnd Rewi Alley’s achievement may not prove of more lasting benefit to mankind than the current battles of empire—may not in fact be the most constructive result of the battle for Asia itself?”

N.Z. PRISONERS OF WAR

FOOD PARCELS SENT TO ITALY (Special Correspondent N.Z.P.A.) (Rec. 8 p.m.) LONDON. Sept. 21. • The International Red Cross has informed . the--.High Commissioner for New Zealand (Mr W. J. Jordan) that the shortage of food parcels in Italian prisoner of war camps has now been remedied, that full supplies have been sent to all camps from Geneva, and also that an additional reserve of two parcels for each man has been established. All camps in Germany have received an extra fortnight s supply for a reserve. , “Perhaps that news will be consoling to people in New Zealand, as reports had arrived that there was a shortage of food which did actually exist at that time,” said Mr Jordan. Mr James C. Bellwood, of Christchurch, writing to Mr C, B. Burdekin, head of the Prisoners of War Department. states: “I must again express to you and to all responsible behind you my gratitude for the wonderful foresight and consideration that has been accorded New Zealand prisoners, which is so particularly noticeable in comparison with our Australian and English cousins. New Zealand mail is rolling in splendidly.” . Mr Albert T. Carlisle, of Christchurch, reports the starting of a theatre. “We have a full orchestra, with dress designers and scenic artists. The shows presented are of the standard of a city production. At Christmas I wjote and produced ‘Cinderella.’ I am now rehearsing ‘The Student Prince,' for which the Red Cross sent the score. Could you send me the score of ‘Lilac Time’ and also ‘The Maid of the Mountains.’ Performances are given three times a week. Chaps returning from working stalags, and resting here, appreciate our shows.”

AUSTRALIAN ARMY TRAINING

MINISTER REPLIES TO CRITICISM (Rec. 7 p.m.) CANBERRA, Sept. 22. “Mr Abbott’s remarks on Army training do not come well from one who has been most persistent in his attempts to get the release of men from military training. He evidently preaches one thing and practises another,” said the Australian Minister of the Army (Mr F. M. Forde) in reply to criticism by Mr J. P. Abbott, a member of the House of Representatives. "We are not going back to the parttime training system which was a feature of the Army when Mr Abbott’s Government was in office,” added Mr Forde. “I will not promise to make unjustifiable scapegoats of Army officers for any deficiencies of equipment or training, which are due more to the lack of foresight of previous administrations than to any alleged shortcomings of those in control of the Army. “Mr Abbott knows well that since I became Minister the Army has been reorganised, resulting in a great improvement in Australia’s defences. The Army is now more than three times the size it was under the Government of which Mr Abbott was a member. Many brilliant young officers who have shown their quality as leaders with the A.I.F. in the Middle East have been brought back and placed in high positions. A large number of A.I.F. men have been brought back to Australia to stiffen the defences of this country and to form the spearhead of an attack in New Guinea.”

IMr Abbott yesterday questioned whether Mr Forde “had the dynamic drive needed for his position, and whether he was prepared to deal ruthlessly with anyone who blundered or failed in his duty.” He also asked if it was true that the Australian troops in New Guinea had not been adequately trained and equipped for jungle fighting.]