HON. P. FRASER

Grey River Argus, 8 November 1939, Page 8

HON. P. FRASER

ON N.Z. WAR EFFORT ' 1 More Production IMPRESSED WITH BRITISH SERVICES [Aust. & N.Z. Cable Assn.] LONDON, November 6. The transfer of men and machinery from certain public works to primary production, in order to expand New Zealand’s war effort, will be considered, should Britain indicate that her requirements warrant such a move. This is one of several possible important readjustments in New Zealand’s economy, envisaged after Mr Fraser s first week of talks with members of the British Cabinet. . . Mr. Fraser has already participated in general discussions on Empire war finance with Sir John Simon, and later intends to go into a more detailed examination of New Zealand’s position with the Treasury. It will include the method of financing New Zealand’s expeditionary force. It is understood that the cost will be met by a loan, as in the last. war. Arrangements for the supply oi meat, butter, and cheese are on the eve of completion, and the agreed prices between the British and New Zealand Governments will be announced shortly. . Mr. Fraser conferred at lengtn with Dr. Burgin, whose Department he described as being most efficient, and as certain to play a crucial part in the prosecution of the war. He assured Dr. Burgin, also the members of the British Government generally, that New Zealand was anxious to use all her resources of land, labour, and machinery, in order to increase the production of commodities Br - tain needs most. It is understood tha. one of the most heartening signs from New Zealand’s viewpoint is tne likelihood in Britain of an increased demand for flax, resulting m benefi., to the languishing industry. The trans-Tasman air service was among the most-important topics raised immediately after the arm a of Mr. Fraser, he emphasising the defence aspects, and urging its inauguration without delay. Regarding the general wai plan, Mr. Fraser told the Australian Associated Press: “I am gieat pressed with the extensive PyP a ‘ a ' tions and the efficiency of 1 he' three fighting services. I have had an opportunity of seeing something of the widespread organisation of Brian’s defence. which should inspire confidence in the Dominions. So lai as a layman can judge, Britains wai services and leaders were never more efficient.” . - Mr. Fraser spent a morning at Scotland Yard, where he discussed New Zealand’s proposal to appoint women police, with Miss Peto, Superintendent of the Women’s Branch and examined all the aspects of the work of such a force. It is admitted that the problem differs greatly m each country, but Mr. Fraser is taking back valuable information, especially regarding preventive work.

Empire’s Part UNITED FRONT. [British Official'Wireless’.] RUGBY, November 6. The military as well as economic contribution by the Dominions to the Allied war effort, includes the mobilisation of ships and naval men and the the rapid expansion of naval construction. The’ Dominions have undertaken all measures for local defence. ~ . . Canada is organising a division, io be available as an expeditionary fore..' if and when required, and is taking steps to have a second division ready. Australia is mobilising militia ol 80,000 men, and has raised a special force of 20,000 for service in Austr: - lia or overseas. New Zealand has a special force of 6,500 already in training, and South Africa is prepai - ing forces in readiness for any emergency in Africa. Preparations aie going forward with the utmost seriousness in South Africa for a possible active share in the war. There is no lack of volunteers to bring the active citizen force units to war strength, involving the doubling of the peacetime establishment. In the economic field, the Do " minions’ contribution is impossible to over-value. Mr. MacKenzie King’s remark, that Canada, besides becoming the traditional granary of the Commonwealth, may also become its ai - senal, is typical of the value of the Dominions’ contribution to the. common cause. Southern Rhodesia and Newfoundland are also contributing handsomely. Never before has a family of nations been more united than the British Commonwealth is to-day. Mr. Casey, in a broadcast to-night,

reviewed Australia’s war measures. He said that Australia was spending ten times as much on defence as five years ago. Her Air Force was rapidly expanding, and her Navy, which he described as an effective force, is working very closely with the Royal Navy. Munitions manufacturing has ‘ been built up to produce many types of weapons and ammunition. He added: “The last thing I did before leaving Australia, three weeks ago, was to arrange for the manufacture of some 100 training aircraft for many thousands of new pilots, as part of the great Empire air training scheme. Our munitions not only meet practically all our own requirements, but we can help to supply other British communities. We produce great quantities of wool, wheat, meat, butter sugar, dried fruits, and metals, and all these things we can and will supply to you here, to the limit of our ability." DINNER TO DELEGATES. LONDON, November 6. Mr. Churchill dined with the Dominion representatives and Sir Zafrullah Khan. Those present included Lord Halifax, Lord Chatfield, Sir Samuel Hoare, Mr. Hore Belisha, Lord Zetland, and the Duke of Devonshire. N.Z. DELEGATION. WELLINGTON, November 6. No action has so far been taken by the New Zealand Government concerning a proposal that the specialists attached to the British Ministerial delegations to London should remain there as members of a permanent organisation to deal with war

problems. A London cable message published this morning stated that it was not proposed to create a permanent Ministerial body in London; but that the specialists, including service officers and economic supply experts who accompanied the Ministers to London, would remain as part of a large staff, and would act in conjunction with the High Commissioners.

New Zealand’s official representative at the British Commonwealth Ministerial discussions (the Hon. P. Fraser) was accompanied to London by the permanent head of the Prime Minister’s Department (Mr C. A. Eerensden) and by the secretary ot the organisation 'for national security (Colonel W. G. Stevens). “No decision has been made,’’ said the Minister for Finance (the Hon W. Nash) when asked this evening if the proposal meant that either Mr Berensden or Colonel Stevens would be remaining in London after the conference of Ministers had finished. German Shortage ENGINEERING TRADESMEN. LONDON, October 15. German armaments factories are being gravely handicapped by lack of skilled engineers, machine workers, and draughtsmen. The "Voelkischer Beobachter” carries two and a half pages of advertisements in one issue alone offering positions to engineers. Among the firms urgently requiring engineers are:— ‘ Messerschmitt aeroplane works, Augsburg; Leuna petroleum works, Leuna; Brandenburg engine factory, Basdorf; Mannesmann Steel Corp., Berlin; Auto-Union motor works. Chemnitz; Siemens Instrument and Motor Co., Berlin; Telefunken Wireless Instrument and Electrical Co.. Berlin: Haenel aircraft factory, Suhl; AGO aircraft factory, Oschersleben: Junkers aircraft Works, Bernburg; Arado Aircraft Works, Potsdam; Hansen aircraft repair works, Muen-ster-Westphalia; Erfurt aircraft repair works; Lorenz Electrical Engineering Co., Tempelhof, Berlin, Bavarian aeroplane works, Regensburg.