WAR EFFORT COMMITTEE

Grey River Argus, 2 May 1942, Page 2

WAR EFFORT COMMITTEE

A meeting of the above was held in the Borough Council Chambers last night at 7.30 o’clock. Mr. J. Greenslade presided and extended a welcome to Rev. Horwell, as representative of the Greymouth Ministers’ Association. Mr. E. B. E. Taylor reported that lhe delegation that visited Wellington in respect of a military camp on the West Coast spent two hours with General Puttick and members of the Cabinet, discussing the ques-’ tion. The General gave the deputation an assurance that, although he was sympathetic with them, the position did not allow of the establishment of a camp'on the Coast. It was decided to write to the Minister of Defence asking why there should be any difference in (he living standards of the Army and the Air Force. It was decided to ask the Government to give favourable consideration to the setting up of Production Committees in all industries for the purpose of eliminating waste, and for smoother* working of industry and greater production for the war effort. . j Regarding the supply of ground sheets and blankets for the National Reserve in Greymouth, the following letter was received from the Minister of Defence:— „ , “Office of the Minister of Defence, Wellington, C. 1., 23rd. April, 1942: Dear Mr. O’Brien,—l acknov/leage receipt of your letter of the 15th. instant advising that you had received a request frojn the War Effort Committee in Greymouth that tne National Reserve in that town be issued with blankets and ground sheets. The position regarding born blankets and ground sheets is trial (he Army Department is having the greatest difficulty in securing sufficient of these items to make a full issue to the troops mobilised tor Home Service. In fact, it has not yet been possible for the winter issue of blankets to be made to these troops. When the present shortage has been overcome, it will be possible to make a smajl supply available to non-mobilised National. Reserve Units for week-end training. On the present rate of production it will, however, be some time . jetoe this can be accomplished. With re gard to the issue being made to tne Home Guard at Christchurch, a small supply is held for issue to those members of the Home Guard who are called upon to do one weeks continuous service with the mobffised troops. The position is therefore somewhat different from tha obtaining at Greymouth, where the National Military Reserve have not been mobilised.— (Signed) F. Jones, Minister of Defence.’ “It was resolved that the Committeo communicate with tne W.W.S.A. requesting them to supply ton members to take a course n. obstetrics at the Hospital, and relieve the serious shortage m inis

business dealt ' vith included the E.P.S. and the . Home Guard, with a’ view to improving both these services.