THE WAR EFFORT

Timaru Herald, Volume CXLIX, Issue 21969, 22 May 1941, Page 4

THE WAR EFFORT

Spirit Of Indifference Weakness In Defence “Although this Dominion has been at war for nearly two years, there are people in it who do not realise, or who are not prepared to recognise that fact,” said the president (Mr W. S. Minehan) in moving the adoption of the report and balance sheet at the annual meeting of the South Canterbury Chamber of Commerce last night. "I regret that there is a spirit of indifference and detachment abroad, and perhaps this is only natural while we are so far removed from the actual scene of hostilities, but it is that attitude which is our greatest weakness in the defence of this country.” “I should like, therefore, to commend to all individuals the present organisations which are in being and are doing so much towards promoting greater preparedness,” he “I do not mean my remarks to embrace the fine men in our fighting forces, their anxious and very often bereaved wives and parents, and those others who are directly linked with the conflict; nor yet to refer to those emplovers and employees who are hard at work in our factories, workshop, and offices, forming what we might call our civil army. “At the same time," he continued, “there are those, both employers and employees, whose outlook, formed in the days of peace, dies hard. It is not that they are disloyal, but simp’ that from force of habit, maybe, they are short-sighted and pursue their individual interests rather than the national interests. Strikes, go slow tactics, pinpricking, and trouble stirring in the sphere of labour all impede the effort of the nation, at the same time as they point the lesson that the preservation of peacetime privileges and standards of living will be worth less than nothing if the war is lost.” Business Men’s Part After reviewing the toll of war on men and production and the difficulties of adapting a peace economy to war conditions, Mr Minehan went on to emphasise that the Chambers of Commerce had offered to the Government their wholehearted co-oper-ation. ‘‘Our organisation,” he said, “which has Li lts ranks tried and successful business men of experience in every branch of industry and finance could give Invaluable assistance to the Government so that the advice of experienced business men could be availed of, thereby preventing the building and assembling of much unnecessary commercial machinery whose foundations are not well planned or well laid. The activities of individual Chambers have to some extent been curtailed, through a greater unity of the people which has been brought about as a result of the war, but by retaining their membership, business has the advantage of the taxation vigilance committee of Associated Chambers, whose duty it is to watch for any injustices in taxation legislation, whilst not in any way seeking to differentiate between any section of the community.” “The present world conflict has forcibly brought to our notice the urgent necessity for a policy of decentralisation, and Timaru, with its even climate, central situation, excellent harbour, and an abundance of suitable residential and industrial areas, is ideally suited for the fulfilment of such a plan.” Mr Minehan was accorded a vote of thanks for his address.