TO WIN THE WAR

Otago Daily Times, Issue 24449, 7 November 1940, Page 8

TO WIN THE WAR

INCREASED PRODUCTION APPEAL BY MR NASH HUGE WAR EXPENDITURE GROWING STRENGTH OF FORCES <Per United Press Association) AUCKLAND, Nov. 6. The growing strength of the forces; of New Zealand, both at home and overseas. Was reviewed by the Minister of Finance, Mr W. Nash, in an address to-night. About 1400 people were present. The Minister discussed in particular the expansion of the army and the Air Force. “ Every man who goes overseas with the army costs £7OO for his equipment and £7 5s a week for his keep,” Mr Nash said, when referring to the war expenditure. He stated that at present there were 20,960 men of the New Zealand Expeditionary Force overseas, 10,706 in training, and 6487 waiting to be called up, a total of 33,153. It was estimated that there would be a total of 30,000 men serving overseas before the end of the year. Mr Nash said the number of men in the Air Force serving overseas was 890 in the Air Force propei', 95 in the Fleet Air Arm, and 71 in Canada. Since the outbreak of war 791 men had been sent overseas, and more were to follow. It was planned under the accelerated progress to train a total of 4382 Air Force personnel annually. There were 3005 New Zealanders serving in either the Royal Navy or in New Zealand naval work.

Defence Expenditure The total expenditure on defence for the year ended on March 31, 1935, was £1,003,289, or 12s lid a head. The Minister added that • this rose to £1,882.716 in 1938, and , to £8,593,639, or £5 5s 3d a head, this year. “ I think that it will be doubled in the next 12 months,” the Minister said. He also spoke of the important work done in building 91 aerodromes in New Zealand, and said the Pan-American Airways representative, who had visited Auckland. > had .said ■ the aerodromes at Whenuapai and Hobsonville were better than, anything.'.they had in the United States. The-Minister emphasised the need of those who were not fighting to work harder to produce the goods necessary to win the war. When a total of nearly 60,000 men. including those on home defence, had been: takbm out of production it was impossible'still to have the same standard of ■ living unless those left worked harder an'l produced more. “ I am asking everybody here to use all the influence they can have in their jobs arid among their friends to get them to work harder than they have ever done before to bring goods, into being that will, enable us to keep our soldiers in a fit condition,” he said.; He gave a promise that if the workers' put their backs into it and produced more goods he would see that they got them. New Zealand Warships “ Both the Achilles and the Leander have done remarkable work,” said Mr Nash. “We get news fairly regularly of what the Leander is doing, and when that story is told we will be just as proud of all her men as we are of the men of the Achilles.” . The following resolution was declared by the chairman; - to; h ave bfeen carried by an overwhelming majority, only a few voices being .heard in dissent;—“That this large gathering of Auckland citizens, after hearing .Mr Nash, places on record. its whole- - hearted confidence in him- and the present Labour Government of. New, Zealand, and gives its sincere assurance to the Prime Minister of its loyalty and assistance' in .carrying outthe splendid work done in the interests of the people of New-Zealand.” -