The Times SATURDAY, MAY 12, 1945. What Role for New Zealand?

Manawatu Times, Volume 70, Issue 111, 12 May 1945, Page 4

The Times SATURDAY, MAY 12, 1945. What Role for New Zealand?

Wliat is to bo New Zealand’s role in the war against Japan? This question, with more particular emphasis upon manpower commitments, is deeply concerning the public following the defeat of Germany. Our Division has fought through all the years of the war in far-off places chiefly connected with the European war theatre. Proportionate to population this Dominion has suffered the heaviest casualties inflicted upon any of the United Nations with the sole possible exception of Russia.

The wholeheartedness of New Zealand’s war effort cannot be questioned in any quarter, nor can there be questioned the contribution of our manpo.wer. Not to indulge any invidious comparisons but simply to appraise the case, attention may be called to the fact that Australia and Canada, have contributed very much less, in proportions to available manpower-, to the cause of victory.

Japan will be defeated by Allied naval and air power contributed by America, Britain, France and Holland, together with Australia and New Zealand. From America in particular, but also in due measure from the others, there will be contributed vast quantities arms, munitions and war equipment. Should large-scale land fighting develop in China, that land of unlimited manpower is pledged to and lias every cause to pursue unrelentingly the defeat of Japan.

The arms, munitions and equipment, together with manpower, present no serious problem to the Allied Pacific Command, but shipping transport and foodstuffs supplies are two grave problems.

New Zealand is situated and has the industries developed to provide au invaluable base, as a food supplier in particular, to the Pacific war effort—one that can serve also as a convenient supplier of certain manufactures of war requirement. As the tempo of the Pacific War rises the calls upon us will increase. It is clearly evident that No. 1 priority in New Zealand’s part in contributing to the defeat of Japan must be production. The limiting factor will be manpower and that is to be assessed not upon mere numbers but with due regard to skill and experience.

As a state irrevocably concerned with a victorious conclusion to the Pacific War, New Zealand must be a fighting participant in its campaigns. Our part is now being played in this role by a substantial air force and with the presence also of our naval units. In view of this should should be little if any call for army representation.

Under the new circumstances now prevailing, following the defeat of Germany, the Dominion’s war effort should be recast. And as befits a community dedicated to Democracy, Parliament should be called to discuss fully and without restraint oiu- role in the Pacific War.

Britain’s Splendid Example

With admirable promptitude the British Government celebrated VE Day by the cancellation of several measures of wartime control. In a statement in the House of Commons the Home Secretary said he was glad to be able to announce that a large number of regulations had been revoked by Order-in-Council to-day—that was on May 9 (Wednesday last). The Commons’ statement went further in advising that a Bill which would give the House an opportunity for full consideration of this question of controls to be revoked was about to be introduced. Similar action was taken in America on the following day. New Zealand is in a much more favoured position than Britain, but as yet we have not heard from the Government on this subject. The Old Country may be old, but it is not so slow, for here it has shown itself ahead of the young fellows—the Dominions. There as here the people fought for freedom. In Britain there has been immediate official recognition of the fact and tangible acknowledgement given. Unless our Government acts speedily the public will have to press with vigour, to have the shackles removed.