GREAT CHANGES LIKELY

Southland Times, Issue 24597, 20 November 1941, Page 6

GREAT CHANGES LIKELY

CRISIS IN PACIFIC NEED FOR GREATER EFFORT (P.A.) TAUPO, November 19. “Within days, not weeks, great changes may take place and it would be hard to conceive a blacker cloud than that which hangs over this country today,” said the Minister of Labour, the Hon. P. C. Webb, this afternoon at the annual conference of the New Zealand Manufacturers’ Federation at Wairakei. “I do not doubt for a minute that we shall win the war, but we must get together and face our problems as a united people,” he said. “It is too late to fool about, and our prejudices of yesterday must sink into insignificance, whether Labour or National. What we need are results, not hot air. The best we can give is little compared with what millions are now going through in Europe. “Our country is in danger, but if we stick together as we have in the past we will win. I am proud of our war effort, but the needs of the moment demand a greater effort. Let us pool our knowledge towards this end, for there is no better way to help the Old Country and our Allies. There are so few people who appreciate in the full the seriousness of the present position. The spirit throughout New Zealand is excellent and with a deeper understanding of the seriousness of the present moment we will give forth greater efforts than ever. To do this we must have the co-operation of men and women working in factories as well as that of the owners of factories. It may be a dream, but I am hoping for the day when owners, managers and workers will meet in conference, not arguing about an increase in wages of 3d or 6d an hour, but all co-operating. ’