SUPPLY QUESTION

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVII, Issue 23767, 21 September 1940, Page 13

SUPPLY QUESTION

NEEDS IN NEAR EAST CONFERENCE AT DELHI I NEW ZEALAND DELEGATES [BY TELEGRATH PRESS ASSOCIATION"] WELLINGTON, Friday It was announced to-day by the Prime Minister, the fit. Hon. P. Fraser, that New Zealand will bo represented at the economic conference of Empire countries to be held at Delhi at the end of October by Major-Gen-eral Sir John Duigan, Chief of the General Staff, Mr. F. R. Picot, Director of the Internal Marketing Department, Mr. J. R. Middleton, assistantSecretary of Supply, Major H. Erridge, Commanding Officer of the New Zealand Army Ordnance Corps, and Mr. B. Taylor, assistant to the chief investigating officer of the Treasury Department.

The conference will be concerned principally with war supply matters, and its object is to onsure that the best possible use is mado of all existing and potential resources of eastern Empire countries for the prosecution of the war. The increase in the production of war materials, and the extension of the supply organisation of the Imperial Forces in the Near East are,-therefore, the two principal topics for discussion. "With the interruption of Mediterranean communications," said the Prime Minister, "it is essential that Empire countries this side of Suez should develop and co-ordinate to the fullest possible extent their economic and military resources, and the New Zealand Government believes that, in addition to immense benefits which will accrue to the war effort of the Empire as a whole, the proposed arrangements will be of considerable value *to the defence of this country as well."

CAMP AT CAMBRIDGE THE WAIKATO REGIMENT [from our own correspondent] HAMILTON. Friday Arrangements have been made for the Ist Battalion, 16th Waikato Regiment, a territorial unit, to commence training at the Cambridge racecourse on October 1. The unit comprises 800 officers, non-commissioned officers and men, and will be one of the largest, territorial units in training in New Zealand. Officers and non-commissioned officers have been receiving instruction at Narrow Neck since August 1. REHABILITATION FUNDS PUBLIC APPEAL OPPOSED [by telegraph—own correspondent] TE AROHA, Friday Criticism of the Government's policy to raise funds by public subscription for the rehabilitation of soldiers after the war was voiced by Mr. W. A. Clark at a meeting of the Te Aroha Chamber of Commerce. Referring to the campaign to- raise £1,000,000, Mr. Clark said the money would be donated by one section of the public while the remainder enjoyed the benefits which they would derive from the men fighting overseas. "It is' the Government's duty to tax everyone and not rely on public subscription," said Mr. Clark, who thought the public response would be very poor. HOSPITAL CASES NOTIFICATION OF RELATIVES [BY TELEGRAPH —PRESS ASSOCIATION'] WELLINGTON. Friday In a statement issued to-day the Minister of Defence, the Hon. F. Jones, intimates that unless a soldier is placed on the seriously or dangerously ill list no notification is sent to base records in New Zealand. Instances have occurred of relatives hearing that men have been in hospital for various periods of time without their having been notified, hence the explanation.