NEW ZEALAND’S WAR EFFORT

Southland Times, Issue 25747, 10 August 1945, Page 6

NEW ZEALAND’S WAR EFFORT

134,000 Served With Overseas Forces

INDUSTRIES’ PART (Special) WELLINGTON, August 9. A review of New Zealand’s war effort formed part of Mr Nash’s Budget speech in the House of Representatives this evening. He mentioned that at the end of 1940 one man out of every five between the ages of 19 and 45 was in the armed forces, a year later the proportion had increased to one in every three and by the end of 1942 more than two out of every five were serving. Since the war began, New Zealand had sent over 134,000 men and women overseas, of whom 6000 were with the Navy, 98,000 with the Army, and 30,000 with the Air Force. It was not necessary for him to remind members of the exploits of our soldiers, sailors, or - airmen, Maori and pakeha, in the field of battle—all the Allied commanders had spoken in the highest terms of their prowess, but it would be appropriate to point out that, to April last, seven Victoria Crosses had been awarded to members of our forces, and other awards (including mention in dispatches), totalled 4273. PRIMARY PRODUCTION “On the primary production side of the country’s activities, the contribution has been a meritorious, one,” said Mr Nash. “Our objective has been to produce as large an export surplus as possible not only to assist in relieving the Very stringent conditions in the United Kingdom, but to provide for the American forces and our own to the greatest possible extent. Rationing has been cheerfully accepted by the people and has enabled a substantial increase to be made in our supplies for overseas, while at the same time imports have been restricted to essentials, thus enabling valuable cargo space to be utilized to the best possible purposes. “In spite of the many difficulties, and our commitments both in New Zealand and overseas, the Dominion’s food production in the war years has been greater than at any other time in its history. From the outbreak of war to the end of 1944 New Zealand had shipped to Great Britain 1,655,000 tons of meat, 734,000 tons of butter, and 638,000 tons of cheese, while up to the same date the American forces had been supplied with 132,000 tons of meat, 17,000 tons of butter, 6000 tons of cheese, 16,000 tons of canned and dehydrated vegetables, 78,000 tons of fresh vegetables. A total of 46,000 tons of biscuits had also been exported during this period.” SECONDARY INDUSTRIES Referring to secondary industries,Mr Nash said that although New Zealand’s factories were comparatively small and scattered, and in spite of the demands of the armed forces, the value of factory production had increased by over 50 per cent, since the outbreak of war. Not only had New Zealand developed new lines of production, including munitions, but prewar industries of an essential nature had been greatly increased. As an example of the success which had been achieved, it might be mentioned that since the outbreak of war New Zealand had produced over £13,000,000 worth of munitions and engineering stores. Woollen mills and boot and shoe factories had attained record production and had kept not only our armed forces fully equipped, but had supplied other countries as well.

Before the war shipbuilding in New Zealand was confined almost entirely to the construction of launches and pleasure craft, but during the war we had built several hundred small ships and barges for our own and the United States forces. To complete this programme, two new shipyards had been established in Auckland, the yards at Port Chalmers had been expanded, and practically every available shipwright and engineering works in the Dominion had been employed in prefabricating necessary parts or other war work. In addition, extensive ship repairs had been carried out for the British, United States and other governments.