BRITAIN’S WAR EFFORT

Press, Volume LXXIX, Issue 24027, 16 August 1943, Page 4

BRITAIN’S WAR EFFORT

*— WOMEN’S PART IN INDUSTRY ADDRESS BY MR L. G. LOWRY, M.P. In a broadcast address last evening, Mr L. G. Lowry, M.P. for Otaki who recently returned from England and Canada, where he attended the Empire Parliamentary Association’s Conference, gave his impressions of Britain’s effort in the present war. Mr Lowry said he had spent a month in Great Britain and he had had the opportunity of inspecting many munition' factories, and he was amazed at the big number of women who were doing men’s work with an enthusiasm and zeal unequalled in world’s. history. They were doing work far in advance of any expected of them and while the full story of their effort could not be told he had visited one antitank gun factory whose staff was composed of 80 per cent, of women and had the highest output of any factory in Great Britain. Another factory had facilities for seating at a meal 7000 workers. The facilities provided for these women in their modern warfare was a revelation , and employer and employee worked in unison and with a harmony that helped towards marvellous efficiency backed up by speed. The workers had rallied round their Prime Minister in a supreme effort to overthrow the enemy. The river Clyde, where Mr Lowry visited shipbuilding yards, was one hive of activity. With such grit and fortitude it was not possible to subjugate such people. As fast as ships were built there was no dearth of brave men to sail them on the seven seas, and their courage and devotion to duty were an example to the world. The same might be said of everyone who had felt the scourge of the enemy. He had seen a demonstration of fire-fighting and that London had not been more seriously damaged was due to the great work of the wonderful fire-fighters with whom many women were serving. Food rationing had proved a great success and enabled all to share alike. He was particularly impressed by the work in agriculture performed by warworkers, of the great fight the average civilian was putting up, of his irrepressible good humour, and his quiet confidence in ’ ultimate victory. He had spoken to and had learned of the exploits of our men in all branches of the fighting forces, and he felt proud to be a New Zealander. The reputation of our fighting men was very high, and in our support of them was it too much to ask us to follow the example Great Britain had set? Mr Lowry said in his four months of travel he had seen sufficient to convince him that the spirit of the British people would win peace and prosperity and would overcome depression and slavery for all time.