WILL TO CONQUER

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20635, 15 August 1941, Page 5

WILL TO CONQUER

BRITISH PEOPLE “INSPIRING STORY” MR. FRASER'S SURVEY (Elec. Tel. Copyright—United Press Assn.) (Reed. Aug. 15, 10 a.m.) LONDON, Aug. 14. The New Zealand Prime Minister, Mr. P. Fraser, jn a special interview with the Australian Associated Press, gave his impression of his tour of the provinces and Scotland. He highly praised the manner in which all sections of the British community, from unskilled workers to executive officers were contributing to the war effort. “I am certain that the people of Britain are stronger in their 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 made upon them and thenshipping, they are rapidly surmounting the difficulties and are prepared to face and defeat any fresh attacks the Nazis may devise, whether by bombing or straight-out invasion.” Mr. Fraser saw many factories engaged in all manner of war production. ranging the whole gamut from small arms,' fuses, shells) guns, aircraft and tanks to merchant vessels and warships. Efficient Organisation “My chief impression was that the work is very well organised, reflecting high credit to all concerned, efficiently carried out and, as far as I was able to judge, the workers are intelligent and enthusiastic,” said Mr. Fraser. “There is complete co-operation between the workers, foremen and executives all of whom are anxious to share in the war effort. I was particularly interested to notice the number of young girls and boys working in the munitions factories who, a few months ago, had not knowledge of machines or tools. To-day. they thoroughly understand the nature of their tasks. To see girls who were previously domestic servants and shop workers, now handling complicated machines, made one realise the country is reaping a splendid dividend from expenditure on compulsory education. “Quite frankly, I was most moved by the intelligent grasp these workers had of their jobs and the intelligent manner in which they answered questions. In my opinion, the charges of absenteeism have been greatly exaggerated to a degree 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, to-day, is one vast arsenal, it is not a bad effort. Interest In Dominion “I spoke not only to hundreds of individual workers in the factories, but also got an intimate insight into the work in the shipyards and on the docks where, again, I found a uniformly efficient state of affairs. In one shipbuilding centre, I addressed 1500 workers who acclaimed my remarks on the war effort. I also addressed crowded meetings in other places and, everywhere, I found the utmost enthusiasm in the war effort and the keenest interest in what I had to tell them about New Zealand, whose efforts are thoroughly appreciated—not only in the actual field of war, but also in primary production. “On many occasions I was told of the admiration for New Zealand’s airmen and the expeditionary force. I visited practically every centre where New Zealand airmen are stationed —bomber crews, fighters and training schools. 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. Died Doing Their Duty “I was present at one station when some of our boys returned from raids on Germany. Alas, some did not return, and it was a terrible tlioughi that the men, who the day before were in the prime of life, were now no longer amongst us —men whose lino spirit, great ideals and high intelligence should be devoted to the tasks of peace for the benefit of their country. But they died doing their duty, and those who returned unflinchingly faced the tasks still ahead —spirits undaunted, heads unbowed, and 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 minor grievances—small matters calling for adjustment, and I was able to promise these would be rectified. “I saw another aspect of the British war effort, namely, 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. ‘The farmers to whom I talked displayed great interest in New Zealand’s change-over from butter to the manufacture of cheese. “All I have seen has been an inspiration to me and I will be able 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.” .