SHARE IN WAR EFFORT

Southland Times, Issue 24184, 22 July 1940, Page 4

SHARE IN WAR EFFORT

Australia And New Zealand PROGRESS DISCUSSED BY MR SULLIVAN The part being played by both leaaers and workers in the political and industrial life of the Commonwealth a contribution to Australia s war effort was one of the subjects discussed by the Minister of Supply (the Hon. D. G. Sullivan) in a broadcast address last evening. Mr Sullivan, who returned to New Zealand on Thursday after more than three weeks spent in Australia, reviewed his mission at some length. After outlining the reasons for his visit to Australia, Mr Sullivan said that he and the officers who had accompanied him had* been kept exceedingly busy day and night, often until the early hours of the morning. He paid a tribute to these officers who, he said, had worked diligently, bent solely on the task in hand and ignoring all social attractions. For their help he was particularly grateful. On his arrival in Australia he had met Sir Frederick Stewart, Minister of Supply, said Mr Sullivan, and he learned that one of the greatest difficulties confronting the authorities there was a shortage of certain materials. He had not found Australia so far advanced in the production of munitions as he had expected; he had formed the opinion that the war consciousness , and war alertness were a little keener in New Zealand than in Australia. Only in the past eight weeks or so had a really keen drive been begun there, and now a nation-wide effort was under way. Everything was now being done to promote a great effort; factories were being extended and the foundations of a large munitions industry were laid. Earlier in his address the Minister referred to the Dominion s placing of orders for munitions and the proposed utilization of railway workshops and private factories for the manufacture of munitions in New Zealand, making the Dominion less dependent on outside sources for her war materials. LONG SHIFTS WORKED The Minister paid a tribute to the excellent work being done by both political and industrial leaders in the Commonwealth and also by the workeis, especially those in the engineering trade. He spoke in high terms of the efforts being made by all Cabinet Ministers and the Labour members of Parliament, all of whom were doing their utmost to assist in the Commonwealth’s war effort. Those working in the engineering trade, which was now drawn intc the production of war materials, were playing a really great part, Mr Sullivan said. Employees were working 12 hours a day under agreements which they had entered into, and they were, doing it willingly and cheerfully in spite of the mental strain which, he said, must be severe. Women, too, were pulling their weight, working in three groups for eight hours a day. It would thus be seen that both in the political and industrial sphere everyone was doing his or her part to assist in the defence of the country. Referring to Australia’s military e strength, the Minister said that the number of men said to be in camp or on full-time duty at present was 120,000. Under the air training scheme about 100,000 applications had been received and 20,000 had been accepted for air training at the schools established. Aircraft production, too, . was being pushed ahead. He had visited works where dive bombers, together with their engines, were being manufactured and he was greatly impressed with the progress being made. Australian naval production was also going ahead, and the construction of the new naval dock, which would cost fully £3,000,000, was under way. Australia had two of the most up-to-date iron and steel construction factories in existence and much steel was being shipped abroad. The Minister added that he was optimistic that the visit would assist in strengthening the ties between the Commonwealth and the Dominion as the defenders of democracy and freedom in the southern seas.