N.Z. WAR EFFORT

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 20261, 31 May 1940, Page 2

N.Z. WAR EFFORT

CONSCRIPTION ISSUE EAST COAST VIEWS LONGER HOURS WANTED Representative meetings of residents of the East Coast were held in Ruatoria and Tokomaru Bay on Wednesday to give an expression of opinion from the district on the problem of New Zealand’s war effort. The meeangs were asked by Mr. D. W. W. Williams, the convener, to consider .two propositions, the desirability of calling upon the Government to introduce immediately a compulsory national defence service during the present emergency, and of urging the Government to form a National Government and War Cabinet, in order to utilise the full resources of New Zealand in the war. Speaking in Ruatoria, Mr. Williams said voluntary enlistment was not effective when compared with the organisation of an enemy who had cdnscriptcd and prepared all the nation’s wealth and man-power for war purposes. Many resolutions baa been passed throughout the Dominion calling for conscription and the formation of a War Cabinet representative of all sections of the community, and he was in agreement with these proposals. The country wanted action, he said. It was essential to lower costs, especially wages, he said. Soldiers had no fixed hours, and he considered that at home there should be no fixed hours either. New Zealand’s Full Weight Speakers expressed confidence in New Zealand’s ability to throw her full weight into the struggle and stated that all the people were awaiting was a lead from the Government.

“If the Nazis came here 40 hours a week would not be heard of,” said Mr. Williams, urging the meeting in Tokomaru Bay to agree to the sacrifice of certain privileges in order to maintain production. Increased costs of New Zealand produce would result in an increase in the use of margarine on the English market, he said. He appealed to workers to accept the present conditions and not to urge higher wages during the war period. One speaker suggested that there should be some compulsory method of raising funds to help the military forces, instead of the present charity appeals.

. Mr. F. W. J. Fox asked if it was right, as happened to-day, for a man to be able to say whether it was right or wrong for him to enlist? He maintained that the Government should say how a man should act. It should not be left to the individual.

Mr. Page urged the total prohibition of seditious literature in the Dominion.

Motions urging the abolition for the duration of the war of the 40-hour week, the immediate introduction of conscription, and the formation of a National Government, were carried by both meetings.