NEW ZEALAND'S NECESSITY

Southland Times, Issue 17757, 7 September 1917, Page 5

NEW ZEALAND'S NECESSITY

EXPORTS MUST BE MAINTAINED. WOMEN MAY BE NEEDED AT THE HARVEST. (Special to the Times.) WELLINGTON, September 6. Speaking in the House to-night, Mr Massey said that the heavy loan and taxation proposals must have brought home to every individual the very great seriousness of the position in which New Zealand was placed. Fortunately we had been able to keep up exports in a wonderful manner. There had been shipping difficulties, but last year we had been able to send away produce worth thirty millions. If the war was going to continue for any length of time, the Dominion, if it was to meet the very heavy war charges, must keep its exports at least at the thirty million level. “We have in this country compulsory military service,” added Mr Massey. “I am afraid that compulsory industrial service would not work well. I believe that if industrial service is to be satisfactory, it must be voluntary. We shall require all the industry, energy, and enterprise, of which our people are capable in order to meet our liabilities and keep our war expenditure going. The women in England have done marvellous work. The conditions in this country are not parallel, and I do not suggest that women can do the same thing here. I know they cannot, but I think it quite likely that during the coming season, if we have a good harvest as I believe we will, we shall have to call upon the women for assistance. If we do call upon them I believe they will do the right thing and assist us to the very best of their abilities.”