DEFENCE OF N.Z.

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20630, 11 August 1941, Page 4

DEFENCE OF N.Z.

GREATLY IMPROVED U.S.—'CANADIAN AID MR. COATES' OPINIONS (Per Press Association.) WELLINGTON, this day. Impressions gained on his recent visit to the United States and Canada, were given by the : Rt. Hon. J. G. Coates, a member of the War Cabinet, in an address last night. He said he was much impressed by the rapid development of production in both countries. Planes, tanks, guns, light automatic weapons, and war materials of all kinds were rolling off the lines in a way that gave tremendous promise for the future. Canada's war effort was extraordinarily good, both in production of maierial—factories were working three shifts a day, seven days a week —and in the number of volunteers for service overseas. French Canadians, so far as he could gather, were playing their part well. He was impressed by Canada's readiness to assist New Zealand in every possible way. “Anxious to Help Us” “Everywhere I met friends who. though they are not citizens of the British Empire, are anxious to help us,” he said. “From what he saw of American production of war materials, much of which under the lease and lend legislation could be transferred to Britain and her Allies, it would soon reach dimensions almost beyond comprehension. The part the United States is playing must give reassurance and confidence to us all.” he said. He felt that the time had arrived for a vigorous programme of training men to handle the various types of tanks that are being produced." My conclusion is that, the Americans are ready and willing to help train our personnel with theirs.” He felt that New Zealand’s position had been greatly improved as a result of the visit which he and the Hon. F. Langstone had made. “Let us direct our minds to one thing—let us eliminate any petty squabbling and show that we are determined to back up our lads on land, at sea and in the air,” he concluded.