SACRIFICES INEVITABLE

Evening Post, Volume CXXXI, Issue 38, 14 February 1941, Page 8

SACRIFICES INEVITABLE

ELEMENTS TO BE FACED

A :waming that all-round sacrifices in many directions from everybody were inevitable in the intensified danger period which appeared to be approaching was sounded last

night by the Prime Minister (Mr. Fraser), when amplifying

a report of the speech he made at Halcombe the previous dayMr. Fraser said he had pointed out in his speech the imminent dangers apparent to all, His remarks were an indication as '- to the elements of the situation to be faced, perhaps in the near future; if the war storm grew in intensity.

"The sense of some of my remarks at Halcombe; abbreviated asthey ■ were in the report I have seen, has not been adequately conveyed to. the public," said' Mr. Fraser. "I pointed out the imminent dangers apparent to all; I pointed out that greater sacrifices to be shared by all were inevitable. 1 indicated ; that because of further possible extension of hostilities supplies of commodities such cs wearing apparel might be scarcer;and that economies in this respect" not previously observed might have to, be practised. "I said that because of the: possible increase in the cost of certain commodities a reduction in real wages, and incomes generally of all sections of the people, might have to be faced, and extended; hours of labour might be required in essential industries in an endeavour, first, \to achieve our maximum war effort,.and, secondly, to maintain as far as-possible that standard of living and. social conditions to which we have attained.

"I further 'indicated the fact that it appeared that all-round: sacrifices in many directions from everybody were inevitable in the intensified danger period which appeared to b > approaching, and that the faith in the triumph of righteousness .over evil instilled in

the family circle, in the school, in the Sunday school, and in the churches would enable the people of New Zealand to face up to the situation and its possibilities like true men and women. ' . "My remarks were an indication as to the elements of the situation to be faced, perhaps'in the near future, if the war storm grows Jin intensity.

I repeat now that it,is essential that all should help to the utmost in our war effort, and that all sections and all individuals must be prepared to join in a common .sacrifice according to their capacities if New Zealand is to survive as an integral self-govern-ing unit of the British Commonwealth.

"My remarks 'must, not be misrepresented as indicating any desire or intention to lower deliberately the standard: of living or the; 'general conditions of our people," said the Prime Minister. "On the contrary, New Zealand is fighting for the democratic system which made our high standards possible, and any inevitable temporary wartime sacrifices will be for,the purpose of defending our standard of life and our democratic system, so that what has been achieved can be .retained and still further progress made when, with New Zealand's help, the terrors and menace of Nazism, Fascism, and their allies are hurled back and finally overthrown."