COMMON IDEALS

Dominion, Volume 34, Issue 136, 5 March 1941, Page 10

COMMON IDEALS

People Of Australia And

New Zealand EQUAL STAKE IN WAR

Fewer Goods Available For Consumption

“In the darkening storm of world conflict a common interest of comradeship draws us closer together to face any threat of danger,” said Mr. H. L. Anthony, Assistant Minister of Commerce and Finance in the Australian Federal Government, who is at present visiting New Zealand, in an last night. Australia and New Zealand, he added, both felt that interest very strongly. Both felt, also, that as a united people with common British ideals they could better face whatever challenge the future held in store.

"We exist in times of tremendous world upheaval,” said Mr. Anthony. “Everything that we as British people value is now being threatened—political and religious freedom, and the right to elect and control our own Government are among the most valued privileges which a people can possess. These privileges ate more valued by British people, with their long inheritance of freedom, than any other possession. Indeed, if the control of our own affairs passes out of our own hands, we lose also every\other possession, so that the things w T e fight for, stand" for, the whole, purpose of our living and existence. # Standard We Live Under.

"Today it is not so much the standard of living which we are concerned about, but rather of the standard we live under. • For centuries that standard has been the Union Jack,-and we intend that it shall continue so to be. The struggle which is taking place in the world today is not only a.gallant struggle by the people of the British Isles against the onslaught of a ruthless and powerful foe; it is a stern test, in which all British people have an equal stake in victory or defeat. The word ‘defeat’ we do not know. At thesame time the achievement of victory will require the use and exercise of ah the determination, resource, and spirit of sacrifice which our souls can be fired with. We in Australia and New Zealand, in Canada and South Africa, intend to take our proper place in the fields, in the ( factories, and on the battlefront.

“After all, Canada, Australia and New Zealand have a' population of more than 20,000,000 British people. That is almost half that of Britain itself. If we exert our Dominion strength to the full in manpower and resources there is no doubt that the weight which we can collectively add to the effort of the Mother Country will go a long way toward weighting the final balance in favour of victory. Fewer Goods Available.

“Unfortunately a wholehearted war effort must have its effect on the way in which we live. That will be more impressed upon us as the war proceeds and we have to divert normal civil activities into war channels. It will undoubtedly mean a lessening of goods available for ordinary use. The resources of skilled labour, factory equipment, raw materials, and machines which go into the manufacture of many goods for our own civilian use will have to be diverted to the production of munitions, material and equipment of war. “We will have to learn to do without such goods and devote the money we would have used to purchase them with to savings which will assist the Government in its war effort. The primary export industries of both our countries are already beginning to take the strain of a more difficult period. By working together in close understanding and association we hope to lessen the ill effects "which follow the disorganization to the whole of our economic life brought about by the loss of overseas markets. “New Zealand is playing its part splendidly in providing men for the Expeditionary Force, the Navy and the Empire Air .Training Scheme. She is also playing her part in the manufacture of certain war components. Australia, with her heavier industrial equipment has of course tremendous responsibility to provide the munitions and general equipment required to support in full measure the fighting forces of both countries. We are straining every nerve to fulfil our obligations in this respect. Month by month our munitions output is gathering momentum. Provision for Defence. . “We are -working on the principle that whatever can be done for the preservation of our national, existence must be done, regardless of the financial problems involved. Provision for defence must come before everything else. “Tlie message I bring you from Australia is that in whatever dangers threaten we will stand with you and give all the assistance, naval, military. aif and munitions that it is within our power-to give,” said Mr. Anthony. “We invite the closest co-operation -between our Governments and our peoples—we invite it that we might better know the best way of using our collective strength, and mobilizing to their full the available resources of both countries. "Difficult times may lie ahead, but whatever forms of personal restriction may. have to be exercised by people in New Zealand or Australia, shortage of food will not be involved. In comparison with many other countries, we are fortunate in this respect, and for this we should be thankful indeed. “We are going to win this war, but it will not be won by fine words, or by merely saying so, or by trusting in providence to bring the . British Empire through. It will be won because of the profound belief which we all have in the ideals for which we are fighting, and by our readiness to place lesser things in second place to the effort required for success. The road may be long and hard. But it must be remembered that the road was also long and har'd for our forefathers, who pioneered these splendid lands. And as our forefathers had the endurance, capacity and tenacity to carry on and overcome every obstacle and difficulty—to clear the land, to plant the trees, to form the roads, to b'uiid the harbours, to establish our primary and secondary industries —-so have we in our turn, the endurance, capacity and tenacity to hold and consolidate that which they have bequeathed us.”