NOTES AND COMMENTS

Dominion, Volume 36, Issue 60, 4 December 1942, Page 4

NOTES AND COMMENTS

A year ago Hitler was blaming tbe weather for his failure to take Moscow. Allied interest was centred on the ability of the Russians to hold out until winter would make tile position of the'enemy difficult. Today it is the Germans who are hoping that winter'will enforce a lull on the eastern- front, although their experience of the "Soviet forces’ offensive last year will afford no ground for confidence. Swedish correspondents in Berlin say that the Nazis are pinning their greatest hopes on the weather, trusting that deep snow will hamper the Russians in their use of tanks. If this is the opinion in military circles it ivould be interesting to know how the German civilian population views the prospects. Twelve months ago big German armies were approaching Sebastopol. Today a large Axis force is surrounded west of Stalingrad and other armies are being urged to hold defensively this point or that—to the last man. A very marked change has come over the scene and winter may not stop the process.

References in Canberra to “the building up of a. gigantic food industry” in order that Australia may become a victualling centre for the forces of the United Nations in the Pacific, will be read with much interest in this country. There is little doubt that New Zealand, too, will be looked to for greater production and preparation of foodstuffs and other materials for the forces concentrated with increasing weight against Japan. It must, however, be obvious to everyone that we in this Dominion are not yet adequately organized to meet present-day supply commitments without requiring the civilian community to go short, on frequent occasions, of certain commodities. Additional future calls will simply complicate an already difficult and unsatisfactory position, unless future requirements are anticipated, and adequate preparations made now. The question of manpower, on which national production so largely depends, should be reviewed in the light of reliable knowledge and forecasts of Pacific events. New Zealand's war role must, of course, continue to be largely military; but the requests which may yet be made to her as a producer cannot, sensibly be overlooked. Tbe need is to strike if possible the light balance of present-day effort, but to be sure that the national capacity to increase production rapidly, and distribute foodstuffs equitably and efficiently, is strongly maintained.