TE AWAMUTU COURIER Printed on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays WEDNESDAY. 31st MARCH, 1943 USE OF SECOND N.Z.E.F.

Te Awamutu Courier, Volume 66, Issue 5599, 31 March 1943, Page 2

TE AWAMUTU COURIER Printed on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays WEDNESDAY. 31st MARCH, 1943 USE OF SECOND N.Z.E.F.

THE man-power debate disclosed some confusion and even conflict of ideas in the House of Representatives on the part that Parliament should play in determining the use of New Zealand’s forces oversea. The Prime Minister rightly and with impressive ..effect reminded the House that Parliament had pledged and re-pledged -the country “to the limit of its resources,” and he pointed this reminder, and at the same time explained it, by asking whether members believed that “ the war should be prosecuted,” accordingly, “ irrespective of the thelatre ” and wherever the use of the Dominion’s forces would be “ most effective.” The Prime Minister’s own conviction was plainly expressed in this question; it is indisputably sound; and it is certain that, as he expressed it. every member of the House would agree. And yet much was said that is difficult or impossible to reconcile with this principle and what it im--plies.

It implies, clearly, full acceptance of the theory of total war and of a strategy consistent with it. It implies acceptance, therefore, of a unified supreme command, which does

not yet exist, and of those measures jn which it has been approached and partly realised, by establishing joint planning agencies and by fixing the command responsibilities in. various -United Nations areas. It implies that where and as strategic decisions are taken, within this system, the use and higher command of New Zealand forces are decided. It implies that these decisions cannot be made in Wellington, and that over-riding decisions ought not to be made in Wellington. But it does not imply, of course, that the New Zealand Government has no part in the process by which major decisions are reached and given effect; nor does it imply that the New Zealand Government is not solely responsible for deciding what forces it can raise, organise, and maintain. Its part in that process was described, not completely but sufficently well, by the Minister °f Supply; its responsibility in the sec-

ond respect was precisely indicated when he said that the New Zealand Government could inform the British and United States Governments that man-power available presumably, after the twelve months for which the present proposals are calculated—would not allow more than one division to be maintained.

. Such an account of the position accords with Mr Fraser’s crucial references to (a) New Zealand’s total pledge, and (b) its appliaction to any theatre of war for (c) the most effective use of New Zealand’s strength. Everything that was said about the circumstances in which New Zealand’s Pacific division has become a combat force was consistent with them. When Mr Fraser said, “ If Admiral Halsey called on the New Zealanders to take part in the combat, they would take part,” he properly emphasised and recognised the United States primacy in the South Pacific command area. There was no inconsistency, either,’ when Mr Fraser said (on 12th March) that, after the Tunisian campaign, the role of the New Zealand division engaged “ must be considered.” The Government, in ether -words, would have and would use the right to represent its views; and in forming its views, on this or any simialr subject, it cannot neglect those of Parliament. But inconsistency did creep in when Mr Fraser, closing the debate on 18th March, said that the House, which had “ decided ” that the division should remain in the Middle East, could change its decision, if the circumstances arose, within twelve hours.” It clattered in when Mr Sullivan said that there was “ nothing to prevent ” the House from deciding that the New Zealand division in the Pacific should serve as garrison troops only, end that “ such a decision would be' given effect.” It roared aloud when the Minister of Health declared that, on the close of the Tunisian campaign. “ the Government should insist ” on the return of the Middle East Force. These confusions are dangerous, even if they do not extend to the Government’s conduct of policy; and there is no reason to believe that they do. They are dangerous, when members of the Cabinet fall into theni. not merely because they obscure the reality of the advances made towards unity in the planning and direction of the war, at least as between the Empire and the United States, but because they must tend fd impede further advance.

Democratic Labour Party A branch of the Democratic Soldier Labour Party has been formed in Hamilton. The selection of a candidate was deferred. The following committee was elected:—Messrs C. Chitty (chairman), C. A. Calvert (secretary), James Ross, A. J. Gallichan, W. Hamilton, C. Mayes, Mrs James Ross. There were 35 present at the meeting.

Manufacture of Saucepans The manufacture of nests of enamelled saucepans has now been started by a large Christchurch engineering firm —the only one in the South Island engaged on this work. Production, commenced because of the shortage of the articles will reach a total of several thousands of saucepans a month. At present production is for the Christchurch market only, and on the local demand will depend any future expansion of the market.

Allocation of Tyres Consideration is to be given to people living in the backblocks in connection with the allocation of tyres, according to a statement made by Mr R. W. Strugnell, president of the Bay of Plenty Sub-Provincial Executive of the New Zealand Farmers’ Union at its annual conference. He said that arrangements were being made to give preference to any man living in the backblocks who had had no other means of getting in to a centre in the event of an emergency.

.Molasses Stocks Frozen Pig-farmers are apprehensive because of the Food Controllers’ action in freezing all stocks of molasses held by the Colonial Sugar Company, which is the only source of supply, and also the stocks in the hands of the merchants and distributors. In view of the prolonged dry spell and consequent fall in milk production, this action is described as inflicting severe hardship on farmers, particularly pig producers. Importations have ceased during the war and only a small quantity is manufactured at the Chelsea sugar works. Release of Youths from Army Army unit commanders have been informed of the procedure to be adopted in releasing youths under 20 who wish to leave the Army. The soldiers concerned have to fill in an application and unit commanders are required to release them unless there are exceptional circumstances. Where this cannot be done at once because of the nature of individuals’ duties, unit commanders are instructed not to delay in seeking replacements. A youth will not be retained other than temporarily, only because he is an officer, a specialist, or a “key man.” Prisoners of War Personal next-of-kin quarterly parcels are being received satisfactorily by prisoners of war, states the Prisoners of War Inquiry Office. Last week a batch of approximately 500 cards acknowledging receipt of parcels delivered to prisoners in Italian and German camps during October, November, and early December came to hand. After the necessary record has been taken at headquarters these will be distributed to the next-of-kin concerned. Two further fairly extensive lists containing information regarding persons in Japanese-occupied territory have come to hand. Copies of them have been circulated to all Red Cross and St. John centres and sub-centres throughout the Dominion, where they can be inspected by interested persons.

Poor Honey Yield Though there is an unprecedented demand for honey this season, the yield in the Waikato has been very poor, the production generally being about half the average. In some areas in South Auckland, notably at Otorohanga and Matangi, yields nearly equal to the average have been secured. Unfavourable weather has been responsible for the unsatisfactory returns in other parts. Extra supplies of sugar, petrol, and other requisites were made available to producers for the season, but the conditions were unfavourable. Continuous winds through the flowering period and much dull weather were factors affecting production. Another factor militating against a heavy honey yield was the unusual lack of clover in the fields.