THE WAR EFFORT

Manawatu Standard, Volume LXIII, Issue 24, 28 December 1942, Page 4

THE WAR EFFORT

EXPANSION OF FORCES

A GREAT ACHIEVEMENT WELLINGTON, Dec. 28.

The development of New Zealand’s war eifort was discussed by the Minister of Defence (Mr Jones) in ail address last night. He said it had required continuous work by tens of thousands of, men and women, and extensiveorganisation and a quick acceptance and practice of new methods to meet changed conditions. The results to date provided a splendid record of achievement. Less than four years ago the three Armed Services comprised only about 2 per cent, of the whole population; to-day practically 10 per cent, were in uniform. “All the resources and all tho qualities of Democracy must be unsparingly used in the big task of destroying the evils of jack-booted dictatorship,” said Mr Jones. Ho added that some 18 months before the outbreak of the present war with Germany it was bis duty as Minister of Defence to survey the defence programme of New Zealand. There had been a long period of unproparedncss to meet the possible emergencies of war. The New Zealand Government adopted a constructive defence policy and put into effect the plans and preparations which laid a firm foundation for the immense war effort that followed. Few people in this country, or indeed anywhere else in the British Commonwealth, realised how soon tlie defence of democratic liberty was to become tho most exacting need and duty of free peoples. The expansion of our Armed Forces within four years demonstrates the value of democratic rule. It is in every way remarkable.

j NEW ZEALANDERS IN NAVY. 1 Mr Jones said that before the war there were only some 700 New Zealanders in the Navy. To-day nearly 10 times that number of our men were rendering sterling service both in the Royal New Zealand Navy and His Majesty’s fighting ships throughout the seven seas.

There were 16.000 men, including regulars and Territorials, in the New Zealand Army before war was proclaimed in 1939. The total in uniform now represents a tenfold increase. Before the war the strength of the Air Force was a mere handful, forming part of the Defence Department. There were now over 30,000 men in the Royal New Zealand Air Force. Soon the number overseas would to)) 10,000. “I desire as Minister of Defence to pay a well-deserved tribute to all those who have been responsible for the organisation, training. and instruction of our Armed Forces,” said Mr Jones. “The value of their good work is reflected in the morale and fighting qualities of our sailors, soldiers, and airmen.

SPIRIT OF GREAT FIGHTERS. “It is always a poignant result of war that many brave men have to givo their lives, and that thousands of relatives have to bear a cross of sadness. Their sorrow is not in vain. The spirit of great fighters lives on, and the nation is made better for the sacrifices they made. They gave those who live on. and those to follow on, greater security. “I think we can all begin the New Year in bettor heart, and strongly fortified in confidence of ultjmato and complete victory. A year ago the treacherous advent of Japan in the conflict, dispelled New Zealand’s apparent safety from the horrors of war because of its geographical remoteness. The outlook for a time was black. To-day, the position is very different. It can be said, I think, without any indulgence of complacency or optimism, that the load of anxiety is steadily moving on to the armed forces and people of Japan.”