MAGNIFICENT WAR EFFORT

Evening Post, Volume CXXXII, Issue 40, 15 August 1941, Page 4

MAGNIFICENT WAR EFFORT

MR. FRASER IMPRESSED

END TO HITLERISM

(By Telegraph—Press Association —Copyright.)

(Rec. 9.20 a.m.) LONDON, Aug. 14

In a,special-interview with a re-

presentative of the Australian Associated Press, the Prime Minister of New Zealand, Mr. Fraser, gave impressions of his tour of the provinces and Scotland. 2

Mr. Fraser expressed the highest praise for the manner in which all sections of the British community, from unskilled workers to executives, are contributing to the war effort "I am certain that the people of Britain are stronger in determination than ever before that the struggle must be continued until Hitlerism is overthrown," he said. "Far from being weakened by the terrible air attacks which have been made upon them and their shipping, they are rapidly surmounting their .difficulties and are prepared to face and defeat any fresh attacks the Nazis may devise, whether by bombing or by straightout invasion."

Mr. Fraser saw many factories engaged in all manner of war production, ranging over the whole gamut from small arms, fuses, shells, guns, aircraft, and tanks to merchant ships and warships. "My chief impression was that the work is very well organised, reflecting high credit on all concerned, and efficiently carried out," he said, "and as far as I was able to judge the workers are intelligent and enthusiastic. There is complete co-operation between the workers and their foremen and executives, all of whom are anxious to share in the effort. I was particularly interested to notice the number of young girls and boys working in the munition factories, girls and boys who a few months ago had no knowledge of machines or tools. Today they thoroughly understand the nature of their tasks. To see . girls who previously were domestic servants and shop workers now handling complicated machines made one realise that the country is reaping a splendid dividend from its expenditure on compulsory education, c

ABSENTEEISM EXAGGERATED.

"Quite frankly, I was very moved by the intelligent grasp these workers had of their jobs and by the intelligent manner in which they answered questions. In my opinion, the charges of absenteeism have been greatly exaggerated to a degree that is likely to obscure the real and great achievement which has taken place. When you realise that Britain started practically from scratch two years ago

and today is one vast arsenal, it isn't a bad effort. I spoke not only to hundreds of individual workers m the factories but also got an intimate insight 'into the work in the shipyards and in the docks, where again I found a uniformly efficient state of affairs.

"In one shipbuilding centre I addressed 1500 workers who acclaimed my remarks upon the war effort. I also addressed crowded meetings in other places, and everywhere I found the utmost enthusiasm in the war efr fort and~the keenest interest in what I had to tell them about New Zealand, whose- efforts they thoroughly appreciated—not only in the actual field of war but also in primary production. . :

"On many occasions I was told of the admiration that, is felt for New Zealand's airmen and the Expeditionary Force. I visited practically every centre where New Zealand airmen are stationed. These men are in wonderful fettle. They will leave an indelible impression upon this generation, because a finer, nobler, and more courageous band of men never lived.

SOME GRIEVANCES TO BE

RECTIFIED.

"I was present at one station when some of our boys returned from raids over Germany. Alas; some did not return, and it was a terrible thought that men who the day before were in the prime of life were now no longer amongst us—men whose fine spirit, great ideals, and high intelligence should be devoted to the tasks of peace, for the benefit of their country, but they had died doing their duty, and those who had returned unflinchingly faced the tasks still ahead, their spirits undaunted, their heads unbowed, and their determination unshaken. They had lost some of their 'comrades, but they • were resolutely going on with the job of extirpating Hitlerism from the world. In talks with the men, I heard some mihpr grievances—small matters calling for adjustment—and I was able to promise that these would be rectified.

"I saw another aspect of the British war effort, namely, the work on the farms, where a greater area of land is being cultivated than ever before. I was most impressed by the women's land army.

"Farmers to whom I talked displayed great interest in New Zealand's change-over from the manufacture of butter to cheese.

"All I have seen has been an inspiration to me, and I shall be able to tell an inspiring story to the people of New Zealand, not only of the magnificent war effort but of the fortitude and cheerful bearing of the people in the blitzed areas. The manner in which they have endured untold hardships,is a shining example to the people # of; the rest of the Empire:"