AUSTRALIA'S AID

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVIII, Issue 23906, 5 March 1941, Page 10

AUSTRALIA'S AID

PROMISE BY MINISTER FORCES AND MUNITIONS CO-OPERATION SOUGHT An assurance that Australia would render New Zealand every possible assistance within her power naval, military and in the field of munitions production—in the common war effort of the two countries, and that she invited the Dominion's closest co-opera-tion in finding the best means of using their united strength, was given in a broadcast last night by the Hon. H. I/. Anthony, Australian Assistant. Treasurer and Assistant Minister of Commerce. Mr. Anthony is visiting New Zealand 1o confer with the Government. particularly upon problems connected with meat and other staple export products. Personal Sacrifices After referring to the ideals which the British Dominions were united to defend, Mr. Anthony pointed out that their large aggregate populations and great resources, added to those of Britain, could do much to tip the scale to the side of victory. Their people, he said, must be prepared to find the war effort increasingly affecting the course of their individual lives, as the production of everyday goods became less, and more and more materials, men and machines were diverted to turning out munitions and war supplies. They must learn to do without a number of things, to lessen personal expenditure and to make savings available to their Governments for the prosecution of the war. Already export industries were beginning to feel the stiaill of war Conditions. Ihe overseas markets lor apples and pears had disappeared almost overnight and the difficulty over meat might yet become more severe. In this matter Australia and New Zealand had much in common, and by cooperation they might lessen the effect of loss of markets upon their economic life. Australia's Munitions Output New Zealand, Mr. Anthony continued, was playing her part to the full in sending forward fighting men and in the manufacture of certain war components. Australia, possessing much greater industrial resources. fully realised Ihe responsibility that rested upon her to supply munitions and equipment for the forces of both countries. She was straining every nerve to accomplish that task. Bv the end of June next more than 80.000 people would be in the direct employ of the Commonwealth Government/for munition-making, a further 70.0(H) would be engaged in the produel ion of raw materials, and thousands more in private employment would b ( . occupied on war production. In the current financial year the Commonwealth's war expenditure would be approximated £186.000.000, compared with £13,500,000 onlv two years ago. This meant a tremendous strain, which would test the country's resources to the utmost, but whatever was needed to preserve Australia's national existence would bo done. The Spirit of Anzac ■Recalling the great tradition associated with the name of Anzac. Mr. Anthony mentioned that he had fought beside Xew Zealand troops in the last war and hoped to sec the two forces united again in the field. The record of H.M.S. Achilles, of "Cobber" Kain and many other gallant airmen, the work ol specialist units in Libya ar.d the keen faces of the men he had lately seen in the training camps, he said, convinced him that the spirit of Anzac was as strong as ever in the Dominion. He could assure the people of Xew Zealand that Australia sought the fullest co-operation and would give every assistance that lay in her power.