NEW ZEALANDERS IN GREECE

Dominion, Volume 34, Issue 182, 30 April 1941, Page 6

NEW ZEALANDERS IN GREECE

War Council Approval

SUPPLY OF OIL FUEL

Maximum Conservation

Advocated

A statement of the circumstances leading up to the Government’s decision to dispatch the New Zealand Division to Greece in company with Australian and British troops was made to a meeting of the War Council yesterday by the Prime Minister, Mr. Fraser. A resolution was adopted unanimously expressing the Council’s, full support of the decision of the Government “which was arrived at after a very able and accurate appreciation of the situation.” Mr. Fraser said last evening that the meeting was attended by members of the War Cabinet and other Ministers of the Crown, Mr. Lowry, M.P., Mr. Atmore, M.P., Mr. Tirlkatene. M.P., Mr. R. Eddy, Mr. A. McLagan. Mr. C. C- Davis, Christchurch, Mr. W W. Mulholland and Mr. Perry, M.L.C. The council was informed of the present position concerning the supply of oil fuel, and the following is the text of a resolution which was adopted: “That the War Council welcome the agreement reached with the representatives of the motor industry, industrial, agricultural and other interested organizations, referred to by the Minister of Supply in his statement of April 28, regarding the necessity, in the national interest, of further reducing the consumption of petrol. In view of the need for economy in petrol usage in the interests of national safety and defence, as indicated in the Minister’s statement, the War Council strongly urge all State and local body services and all other sections of the motoring public, both commercial and private, to provide for the maximum conservation . and minimum use of petrol. As a means of assisting in doing this the War Council invite the commercial and industrial community to so organize the use of transport as to avoid unnecessary duplication and waste of petrol.”

The council also discussed the provision of a convalescent hospital for soldiers returning from service abroad and certain matters in connexion with the Home Guard. These two topics are to be further discussed by the Defence and Military Affairs Committee at its next meeting.

A meeting of the Primary and Industrial Production Committee of the War Council is to be held today to discuss fully the position concerning the cultivation of linen flax in the Dominion,