WAR EQUIPMENT FOR BRITAIN

Southland Times, Issue 24166, 1 July 1940, Page 9

WAR EQUIPMENT FOR BRITAIN

POLICY OF FORD COMPANIES

EMPIRE CONCERNS TO SUPPLY MATERIALS

(United Press Association)

WELLINGTON, June 29.

A statement by Mr Henry Ford is contained in a cablegram received by the Ford Motor Company, New Zealand, from the Ford Motor Company, Canada, about the Empire Ford companies’ war efforts. Mr Ford declares that his decision not to build aeroplane engines for other than the defence of the United States in no way affects the policies of the Ford companies in Canada, England and other Empire countries.

“The Ford Motor Company in Canada and other Ford plants located in the British Empire are using their facilities to the utmost for the production of military equipment for the defence of the British Empire,” said Mr Ford. “They are serving their people as they should do, and as I would do if permitted and if the occasion required. I am against war in any form. I have no animosity against any people or any race or nation whatsoever. I shall be glad when war will cease all over the world.”

Commenting on this message, Mr G. H. Jackson, managing director of the New Zealand Ford Company, said that the Ford Motor Company in Canada and the Ford companies in England, Australia and other parts of the Empire had been actively engaged in manufacturing mechanical _ transport and war equipment for Britain and the British overseas Dominions since the beginning of hostilities, and their entire manufacturing facilities had. been and are at the disposal of their governments for the defence of the Empire. “The Ford Motor Company of New Zealand has also placed its entire undertaking at the service of the New Zealand Government. Furthermore, an assurance has been given to me by Mr W. R. Campbell, president of the Ford Motor Company, Canada, that the New Zealand Government may depend on the maximum war effort of which the Canadian company and the New Zealand company are capable,” he said.