WAR EQUIPMENT

Evening Post, Volume CXXIX, Issue 17, 20 January 1940, Page 13

WAR EQUIPMENT

AUSTRALIAN SUPPLY

MINISTER'S DISCUSSIONS

Arrangements for the supply of war material by Australia to New Zealand have been improved as a result of discussions that the New Zealand Minister of Defence (the Hon. F. Jones)' had with the Federal defence authorities during his brief stay in Australia. Mr. Jones, accompanied by Mrs. Jones, arrived back in Wellington by the flying-boat Aotearoa yesterday afternoon. * Discussing his flight to and from Sydney in the Aotearoa, Mr. Jones said that the trip across occupied nine hours flying time and the return jouirney 10 hours, the weather conditions from a passengers' viewpoint being ideal. The absence of bumping and rocking was particularly noticeable, and the smoothness in leaving and alighting on the water gave one a feeling of security. Captain Burgess, with the support of his efficient officers, provided yet another example of the competency and efficiency for which ■ he was noted, and the Minister said he had no hesitation, in saying that New Zealanders owed a deep debt of gratitude* to those accepting the responsibility for the safe transit of passengers using this latest means of travel. "On arrival at Rose Bay, Sydney, I : was met by Mr. W. M. Hughes, the ! Federal Attorney-General, and by a representative of the New South Wales Premier," said Mr. Jones. "Three hours later Mrs. Jones and myself had the privilege of representing the Prime Minister of New Zealand at the official welcome to the Marquess'of Willingdon and Lady Willingdon, who, too, arrived by flying-boat on their way to New Zealand to participate on behalf of the British Government in our Centennial celebrations. ■ "Though I was actually in Australia for only two days, 17 hours, I was able to make personal contacts with Commonwealth and State Ministers, officials, and business men, as well as I renew acquaintance with very manyNew Zealand callers," said Mr. Jones. "I also availed myself of the opportunity to see my brother for the first time in the last 27 years. • DEFENCE MATTERS. • "I met Mr. Street, Federal Minister of Defence, who flew from Melbourne to Sydney specially for the purpose of .discussing defence matters in general. In our "deliberations we spent a considerable time in improving the arrangements already existing for the supply of equipment for New Zealand troops. Because of the war we are experiencing delay in obtaining from Great Britain and Australia supplies that we need, and after going through in detail our present and future requirements I was able to obtain from Mr. Street clear understanding of the •position? He was . most grateful to i know what our probable demands would be, and I am pleased to be able to say that the very extensive preparations Australia is making to further production of war essentials will remove from my mind • any cause for future anxiety. . *'I could not have obtained a better illustration of the solidarity • and strength of purpose of the Empire than that exemplified .by. my talk with the Federal Minister.of Defence. We exchanged ideas and proposals, offered and received suggestions, and the outcome of the decisions will, I am certain, be of benefit to both countries." Among the Federal and State legislators Mr. Jones met were the Leader of the New South Wales Labour Party, Mr. W. J. McKell, and some of the Federal and State Labour : members, who were keenly interested in the work of the New Zealand Government. TASMAN SERVICE. The Prime Minister of Australia, Mr, Menzies, was unfortunately unable to spare himself from his duties to attend the Centennial celebrations, but Australia would be represented by Senator Mcßride, who with Mrs. McBride travelled across with him in the Aotearoa. "This air journey, the longest I have undertaken,;' said Mr, Jones, "showed me quite definitely what an acquisition to New Zealand and Australia the regular service will be when it is brought into operation. lam satisfied that the service will become popular with Australianes and New Zealanders alike, and a great future is ahead of one of the last links in the all-Red Empire chain of air communications. ; . I "Senator Mcßride and I discussed during the trip many aspects of administration common to' both countries, particularly in the light of war conditions, with so little inconvenience that we mighf'well have imagined we were ' sitting in an office." ;