CALL FOR GREATER EFFORT STILL

Dominion, Volume 34, Issue 82, 31 December 1940, Page 6

CALL FOR GREATER EFFORT STILL

Formidable War Task MR. FRASER’S MESSAGE FOR NEW YEAR Fighting On To Victory “While much has been done, must formidable tasks still lie ahead of us aud we must make 1941 a year of tremendous national effort, ’ states the Prime Minister, Mr. Fraser, in his New Year message to the people of New Zealand. “There is need for still greater effort, for harder work and for still greater efficiency,” Mr. Fraser says. “Our shipping losses present formidable difficulties which can only be met and successfully overcome by the united efforts of all concerned, freezing companies, coolstore workers, transport workers, shipping companies, seamen and waterside workers.” Mr. Fraser’s message follows: — There is little I need say to remind the people of New Zealand of the series of events which have marked 1940. The grim progress of the war and its effects throughout the world are familiar to all. Great perils have been surmounted by the British people. At no time have they been disheartened or dismayed. At no time have they faltered in their determination to stand by their ideals. The peoples of the British Commonwealth are not prepared to accept the so-called new order of tyrannical dictatorship which the aggressor nations are attempting to impose upon the world. America’s Assistance. In the desperate and powerful attack that has been launched upon democratic civilization, some countries have fallen. For the lime being their people are down but they are not out so long as they can hope for deliverance. Their whole future is dependent on our victory. The British Commonwealth is now the only world Eoyvgr actively defending those hard-won liberties aud institutions built up over a thousand years and upon which modern civilization is based, though our courageous and determined ally, Greece, is waging a victorious campaign crowned by outstanding successes against the Italian aggressor, while the United States of America is rendering magnificent assistance by placing her vast material resources with unprecedented generosity at our service.

The people of Britain are carrying ou calmly and confidently building up their defences, increasing their army and striking back at the enemy in everincreasing force on laud, sea and air. In the past few weeks our forces in Egypt have shown their mettle aud their victory is a splendid tribute to the skilful planning, dash and courage which characterizes the British Army of 1941.

Throughout the year the men and women of the United Kingdom have covered themselves with honour; in the factory, in the field, in the mines, in .shipbuilding yards, and at the docks, they have doggedly stuck to their jobs in the face of danger and death. In towns a_nd cities scarred by constant raids they are carrying on. Their courageous example is beyond praise, and is an inspiration to the people of the whole world. New Zealand’s Gratitude. Here in New Zealand we can best show our heartfelt admiration and gratitude in deeds rather than words. By organizing our own war service as we are doing in accordance with our full strength and our total resources, we are assisting the whole commonwealth effort, anjcl it is important to remember always that it is not Britain that Nazi Germany atui Fascist Italy are lighting, but the British Commonwealth of Nations and its peoples, including ourselves, everyone of us, in New Zealand. During the year much has been done in New Zealand—men have been trained and sent overseas to the theatres of war. Our soldiers, sailors, and airmen have worthily upheld the best traditions of our armed services. At home we have organized our defence forces on a firmer basis than ever beNational Military Reserve, Home Guard, Emergency Precautions Scheme, Women’s War Service Auxiliary, all these have received active support and are performing excellent work. The national, provincial and local patriotic fund organizations have been most creditably active and successful in receiving the full confidence and support of the public. As a result the Ilves of our mon overseas have been brightened. On the civil side, farmers, and workers, manufacturers, indeed those engaged generally in production and distribution of our commodities have met the extraordinary needs of war conditions in a most satisfactory manner. Moro goods are being produced and more food and raw materials are being made available to Britain. I am proud to say that no request which Britain has made to us has failed to meet with an immediate and favourable response. We would gladly do more if we could. The Need for Unity.

Above all, there is the need for unity. 1 would like to appeal once again to every man and woman to co-operate in the fullest, possible way with the Government in the prosecution of the war. To waste time and energy in petty quarrels while the nation is involved in a life aud death struggle Is shameful and unworthy of a democratic (xioplc. This is no time for emphasizing political differences. All our combined energies must be concentrated on one object alone —the attainment of victory. The burdens of war are already immense—the estimated cost in money this financial year is £37,500,000. Next year this sum will be increased. _ We can only meet, this huge expenditure now and ultimately by our own efforts from our own sources of real wealth. We have the resources. Let us develop them to the full, even, at the same time, at the cost of consuming less ourselves.

Fortunately our standards of living are among the highest in the world and there are great, numbers of our people who can afford temporarily to make the individual sacrifices which are and will be inevitably required. This doos not mean that the social advance made in recent years will be lost. On the contrary, we are fighting for tlie maintenance of our high social and economic standards as well as for political freedom and the right as a nation to order our own lives as we ourselves think fit which is the very essence of liberty. Principles Worth Defending. These are principles worth defending ami their full restoration when the war is over is the highest duty devolving upon Government ami people alike. 'Those of us who remain at home must see to it that full preparation is made to look after all the men who return from overseas and 'to make certain

that the nrovision made is full and generous/ As Prime Minister, 1 would like to take this opportunity of assuring the soldiers, sailors and airmen of the Government’s (letermination to do everything possible to secure their successful return to civil life and in addition to assist and support all those who, because of the effects of war, may be unable to take their places again in civilian ranks. The future of New Zealand depends upon their efforts and those of all the armed forces in securing a British victory. ■Without that victory there could be no return to the ways of social progress and the high level of prosperity which we have enjoyed. We realize our debt and we will honour it to the utmost of our capacity. To our men overseas, in the navy, the army, the air force, the mercantile marine, the nurses ami all other war workers, and to all of you in New Zealand, I extend cordial greetings and every wish for happiness and good fortune in the New Year.