The Times THURSDAY, MAY 23, 1940. New Zealand's War Resources

Manawatu Times, Volume 65, Issue 121, 23 May 1940, Page 6

The Times THURSDAY, MAY 23, 1940. New Zealand's War Resources

The grave situation worldwide to-day ordains that this little nation, in common with all others elsewhere, should take careful stock of every resource that has bearing upon its defences. As to food supplies, we have no need to be in the least concerned. As to maivpower, the quantity thereof is ample and to spare for any contingency likely to arise, this, of course, subject to proper training, such as we have already suggested in these columns. Untrained men, however valorous, are but a mob; a sacrifice when opposed to shock troops. But let it be assumed that true preparedness is undertaken in this sphere, then what further problems require to be met? The third factor now to be considered is equipment and supplies. Outside a restricted official circle, none knows what arms and equipment are in the Dominion. Nor is it known what reserves of munitions are on hand. But this we do know, that such supplies as are present would require replenishment as rapidly as possible should hostilities reach these shores. And that would mean that, so far as our plant permitted and stocks could provide, New Zealand should be able to manufacture considerable quantities of munitions and also to be in a position to effect repairs upon our arms and equipment. At first sight this may appear to be asking the almost impossible of the rather limited manufacturing resources of this country. The task is not, however, so impossible as it may seem. Even in the most highly militarised nations a great proportion of war supplies are in wartime drawn from plants that arc in peacetime devoted to normal manufactures, services and mechanical maintenances. In New Zealand we have a great amount of plant suitable to war production, astonishing as this may read to many. The reference is to the aggregate of our plant in railway workshops, foundries, machine manufacturing plants, engineering works, our motor-building factories and even our garages and blaeksmithys. We would urge upon the Government that it at once set up a War Resources Board, or one of similar title, to take stock of our industrial resources and to draw up a complete, detailed mobilisation plan for use in a supreme emergency. This board would investigate the total of the country’s resources, industrially, and list what each plant should do in event of a major crisis. Every owner concerned would doubtless eagerly co-operate to this end as a patriotic offering.

The proposal is both feasible and decidedly of an urgent nature. Time is required to work out a plan as this, for not only would the details have to be secured, but it would be highly desirable to “educate” the owners of each plant as to the nature of his production planned for. When each knew what would be expected of him he would doubtless take steps to acquaint himself, so far as possible, with the working arrangements. Thus each would become a sub-planner on his own account. We have then a very useful resource in our plant, but this would not serve us long as might be necessary, unless there are stocks of certain essentials on hand. Copper, lead and cotton as raw materials would be prime essentials and iron and steel likewise. That is but a beginning to what would be a considerably longer list when compiled in full. Does our Government know tlie stocks of each on hand? And if this be known, is there a sufficiency? We would venture the opinion that stocks are light, and would urge that they bo built up as speedily as possible. A million or two million pounds would go a very long way on this errand and supplies required could be mainly drawn from within the sterling area. There is no intention to create alarm in thus putting forward these proposals. The tension abroad to-day is such that any eventuality should be prepared for, even to an attempt to occupy this Dominion, as was Norway. In midst of preoccupation with what is happening in Flanders, there must not he forgetting of these very shores that encircle our lonely little island group. Our best insurance is the utmost preparation to defend our land.