FULLY JUSTIFIED

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXXIII, 7 December 1940, Page 6

FULLY JUSTIFIED

CONFIDENCE IN WAR COUNCIL AID FOR GOVERNMENT [United Press Association] WELLINGTON, This Day. “The confidence which I expressed m June last in the ability of the War Council to assist the Government in the direction of the Dominion’s war effort has been fully justified,” said the Prime Minister, Mr Fraser, in a statement last evening. “The first meetings of the Council were held in June and meetings have been held monthly since then. The two committees of the Council, one dealing with defence and military affairs and the other with matters connected with primary and industrial production, have met at more frequent intervals than the Council. “An appreciation of the important work done by the Council can be gained when it is realised that recommendations have been made to the War Cabinet on such subjects, among many others, as supply and production of munitions and equipment, assistance to the United Kingdom, co-operation with Australia, the recruitment of men for the armed forces, oil reserves, hospital treatment of sick and injured members of the forces, training of territorial forces, treatment of aliens, formation of mounted rifle units and works companies. the formation and functions of the Home Guard, supply of labour for farms and the provision of accommodation for workers on larms. “The War Council is an advisory body and all recommendations are considered by the War Cabinet. They have practically all been adopted.’ Representation on the Council is made up as follows Mr W. W. Mulholland. president of the New Zealand Farmers’ Union; Mr R. Eddy. president of the New Zealand Workers' Union; Mr C. C. Davis. representing the Employers’ Federation; Mr A. McLagan, president of the Federation of Labour: the Hon. W. Perry. M.L.C., president of the New Zealand Returned Soldiers’ Association; Mr E. T. Tirikatene. M.P.. returned soldier representing the Maori people; Sir Andrew Russell, returned soldier appointed by the Government; Mr L. G. Lowry. M.P.. returned soldier appointed by the Government: Mr H. Atmore, Independent member of Parliament. Mr Fraser said that in addition. Ministers of the Crown concerned attended meetings of the Council. “It will be seen.” added the Prime Minister. “that this body is broadly representative of the principal interests in the community, and the Government have found it a most valuable aid in the prosecution of the national war effort.”