UNITY AND EFFORT

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20602, 1 November 1941, Page 9

UNITY AND EFFORT

APPEAL BY MINISTER N.Z. FACING CRISIS (Per Press Association.) AUCKLAND, this day. A strong appeal to all sections of the community for unity and greater effort in production was made by the Hon. P. C. Webb when he addressed men employed at the Auckland naval base in the lunch hour. He stressed the seriousness of the )var situation, the appeal by Russian workers to British workers for food and munitions, and the latest prompting of Japan by Germany actively to join the Axis Powers. What Germany said about an attack on Australia might also apply to New Zealand. He thought Japan knew that the taking of Australia and New Zealand would be no easy task and he doubted whether she would heed Germany’s advice. However., if Japan did enter the war, it would almost mean a changed economy overnight, and every man, woman and child would have to play a part. Mr. Webb said he was confident that Russia’s appeal to Britain would be taken up enthusiastically by New Zealand workers, especially in the cheese factories, the mines, and on the farms. The Minister appealed to the people not engaged in absolutely essential industries to register with the placement office and offer their services in the name of patriotism for any class of work essential for the production of clothing and foodstuffs. Some retired men might be able to work on farms, and some of our women who have never been engaged in industry might offer their services. Absenteeism in the field and the workshop should be reduced to an absolute minimum. Only sickness should prevent men and women doing their utmost during the present serious crisis, declared the Minister.