N.Z’S POSITION

Hokitika Guardian, 20 March 1940, Page 5

N.Z’ S POSITION

OUR IMPORTS

STATEMENT BY MINISTER.

(Per Press Association--Copyright)

WELLINGTON, March 20

“From the experience gained during the past year we are perhaps better placed than any other country to govern our imports, so that the maximum good is recorded to the sterling group with a minimum interference with business,” said the Minister for Defence, Hon. F. Jones, in an address to the annual meeting of the Wellington Chamber of Commerce.

The business community had a big responsibility in its bands and-a great trust to honour and protect. Control measures introduced by the Government could do much to protect the interests of the majority of people, but commercial men, as individuals in their daily work, could do even more. All the efforts of the military forces would be rendered valueless if they were not supported by the wealth in the true sense of the word of our country It was obvious that the duty of evt’iy man who remained behind was to increase production and avoid waste.

“This war may be a long business,” continued Mr Jones, “and it is obvious that England is paying -as much attention to the economic aspect as to the military side.

“The days when a war affected only a part of the population are gone. We must use our man power to its fullest advantage,” ho continued, “conserving our resources and increasing our production so that the maximum effort may be the result.”