SERIOUS POSITION

Dominion, Volume 34, Issue 118, 12 February 1941, Page 9

SERIOUS POSITION

Economic Situation Ot Dominion

MR. WEBB’S WARNING

People Urged To Work And Fight For Victory

(B v Telegraph—Press Association.)

CHRISTCHURCH. Feb. 11

The seriousness of the situation facing New Zealand as a result of the disappearance of. its overseas meat market was referred to bv the Minister of Labour, Mr. Webb, when he said that now more than ever New Zealanders had to work as well as fight for the preservation of their liberties and their standard of living.

The general economic situation ot this country bad become serious through problems that had their origin overseas, said the Minister. Shipping restrictions made it doubly difficult to send supplies to the market that provided the means of exchange by which New Zealand was able to obtain the raw material needed to maintain its secondary industries at their capacity of operation.

People should face the facts now, and realize the difficulties of their situation. Unless they did that, they would be living in a fool’s paradise. "We cannot wish our way to victory,” he said. “That can only be achieved by working and fighting. “I am confident that because we are in the right and are fighting aud working for democracy, a much higher civilization will emerge from our struggle. But first we must work as we have never worked before. Production free from any taint of exploitation of the people must be maintained. “If the people emerge from the struggle by just managing to pay their way, they will be fortunate indeed. That is the issue, and wc must face up to it.”