HON. F. JONES

Grey River Argus, 25 March 1943, Page 3

HON. F. JONES

QUESTIONED AT CAIRO About New Zealand (NZ.E.F. Official News Service) CAIRO, March 20. In the course of a press conference at Cairo, the New Zealand Minister of Defence, Hon. F. Jones, referred to the co-operation existing between Australia and New Zealand. “We have always had a tie, he said. “It was developed and strengthened during the last war. The name of Anzac will live for all time. Jhe closest relationship and greatest co-operation exist between the two countries as well as between their soldiers. “New Zealanders have done very valuable work in the South Pacific, he said. "‘Those in New Caledonia are doing garrison work. Training which they are. getting in certainly will prepare them for when they go into the forward areas. Certain of the New Zealand Air Force squadrons took part in battle in the Solomons area, and have done a splendid job. So far as the New Zealand Navy is concerned, of the only two cruisers and three corvettes concerned, two of them took part in the sinking of one of the largest Japanese submarines quite recently. When you look at a corvette and think that it sank one of these large submarines, it is a great deal to its ( credit. The part played by the “Achilles” in the battle of the River Plate is well known. Then you rnust consider the work of convoys and ot thousands of troops sent from New Zealand and other countries, and ( New Zealand cruisers all played their < part in this great work alongside i ships of the Australian Navy. | “On my way to Cairo,” said Mr ( Jones, “I spent some time in the | United States, and met many prominent leaders there, and everywhere I heard very favourable comments on our forces, and the part we are playing in the war effort. They are led by an excellent ollicer, General Freyberg, who has done a splendid job in building up the division. We are deeply indebted to him and his staff for making it the force it undoubtedly iS.” _ . „ Referring to increased production, Mr Jones said: “We have women going into industry, including some who have never worked in their lives. They have responded very well, and shop and office girls are now working in woollen mills. full production of the country nas been maintained. The Americans going into the South Pacific require vast quantities of foodstuffs, and they have placed large contracts with the New Zealand Government. Our production at home has saved shipping enormously. We have supplied the fighting forces of the Allies, as well as providing for our own and our people. The Government is also concerned with the welfare of the men and women in all of tne fighting services. We have tried everywhere to improve the ■ condition's of the fighting forces, and have received wonderful assistance from voluntary organisations. The. ,' OV L ernment is also tackling the job or the rehabilitation of men when they come home. „ . , . Mr Jones spoke of his visit to tne New Zealand Club, and complimented Lady Freyberg and the staff on their excellent work. He thanked other organisations doing voluntary work for the welfare of the forces. In reply to the question: “Has New Zealand been attacked by air or submarine?” Mr Jones said that the only thing that had happened was the sinking of the liner Niagara by German mines in April, 1940. Asked about the purpose of his trip, he remarked: “I wish to make contact with our troops, and see how they are getting on, and also to contact as many New Zealanders in the R.A.F. and the Navy as possible. Then I am going on to Britain, where we have many New Zealanders in all of the forces, and a Forestry unit. We have New Zealanders in Russia and Malta. You’ll find them everywhere. I believe, we have some in Iceland, as well. Mr Jones also told his questioners about the rationing system in New Zealand, adding that the Price Tribunal had justified its existence, as the increased cost of living in New 1 Zealand in . the time of war was less than in any other country in the British Commonwealth. Replying to a question as to increasing the population after the war hy emigration, Mr Jones said: “We have, hot considered the question of. emigration after the war. When one considers the New Zealanders married since they have been .in Britain, and the number of engagements and marriages since the Americans came to New Zealand, I. don’t think there will be much of a problem to worry about. Some of these certainly will want to stay in New Zealand after the war, or to come to New Zealand to live.” . To a final questioner regarding the

Maoris, Mr Jones said he was very pleased that mention had been made of this line race of people, who were treated in the same way as the pakehas. They . had certainly justified their inclusion in the fighting forces of New Zealand. “Everyone now knows their history as soldiers, and the Germans and Italians found out how they could fight,” he said. “We have another fighting Maori battalion ready—trained and ready to take part in any action which may arise. We have the Maoris’; own Territorial forces, and also their Home Guard. Their war effort has been outstanding. On farms Maoris are playing a great part in producing foodstuffs for our needs. One cannot speak too highly of them, not only as soldiers, but, as workers in New Zealand,”