COMMON SACRIFICE

Evening Post, Volume CXXXI, Issue 38, 14 February 1941, Page 6

COMMON SACRIFICE

The warning given by the Prime Minister, as amplified in an interview today, that greater sacrifices are inevitable, is one which will be endorsed by all who have understood the development of the economic position. Mr. Fraser indicated that because of further possible extension of hostilities, supplies of commodities such as wearing apparel might be scarcer and economies in this respect not previously observed might have to be practised. Also, the increase in cost |of certain commodities might entail a reduction in real wages and all incomes, and extended hours of labour might be required in essential industries in an endeavour, first, to achieve the maximum war effort, and, second, to maintain, as far as possible, the standard of living and social conditions attained. To this warning there can be no answer. The facts support it at every point. But because economic effects are not suddenly and abruptly felt, some people may have thought that New Zealand could and would escape her share in the sacrifice that the war entails. There can be no escape, either for the nation or for any section,of the nation.

We have been extremely forlunalc hitherto. Agreements for the sale of produce have brought us, with good seasons, an export income even greater than in pre-war., years, but now the value of that income is being reduced through the higher cost of imported commodities. That, in itself, means a drag on the standard of living. Further, the uninterrupted sale of export surpluses is no longer possible. Meat (after fruit) is the first major line to suffer, but it' is so important a line that the spreading of the loss over the whole community (as it must he spread) must be severely felt. We cannot be sure,,especially if hostilities are extended, that other commodities of equal importance will be exportable in the quantities shipped hitherto. Thus we will have to live more upon our own productive resources, with very much less of the value that comes to us through trade. In making good the deficiencies of trade interruption, too, we. shall be handicapped by the withdrawal of 65.000 of our best men for war purposes. The sacrifice that this involves cannot possibly be concentrated on one section of the community. All must- share, and all must help to lessen the severity of the deprivation by working harder and longer and economising in the articles which are scarce. Shared sacrifice, and greater effort, will assure that none need suffer excessive hardship.