“Dominion Over-committed" In Manpower

Manawatu Times, Volume 68, Issue 207, 1 September 1943, Page 4

“Dominion Over-committed" In Manpower

NATIONAL PARTY’S ATTITUDE (Special to “Time*.”) CHRISTCHURCH, Aug. 31. “ Unquestionably wo are o\en» committed both militarily and indue* triallv, and our manpower resource* have been drained beyond all reason, ’• said the lender of the National Part* (Mr. S. G. Holland) in opening his can? paign to-night. “It is utterly impossible on oup population to maintain two combat Divisions overseas, the equivalent of two more Divisions in the Air Fore* and Navy, and about another Divisiou on home defence, also to vastly increa*« our production from both farm and factory. ’* Mr. Holland said that atfer such Jong service men on furlough should bo given the option of voluntarily returning to the Division or returning to civil employment. There were plenty of fit men in New Zealand who have seen no service who could replace them. In his opinion men with three children should not be sent overseas. The London Times had only recently stated that New Zealand’s contribution was out of all proportion to its population and resources. Emphasising that lio had consistently advocated the dropping of party politics so that the country could get on with the war, Mr. Holland said the National Party, if elected, would endeavour to form a truly national nonparty Government ot the best men regardless of party. There would be only three simple conditions—a full war effort in every field, no contentious legislation and no outside deminatiou. The fighting men had shown what unity could do and the country should follow their example. The first consideration was the efficient prosecution of the war*