DOMINION’S WAR EFFORT

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 86, Issue 67, 20 March 1942, Page 4

DOMINION’S WAR EFFORT

SUPPORTED BY LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL NATIONAL GOVERNMENT URGED (P.A.) Parliament Bldgs., March 19. A comprehensive resolution supporting the Dominion's war effort an i expressing admiration for the stand being made by the Allied Nations and for the fighting qualities of the New Zealand forces was carried by the Legislative Council to-day after a two and a-half hour debate on the war situation. The resolution also called on the people of New Zealand Lo strain every nerve in support of the defence effort The Leader of the Council, the j Hon. D. Wilson, when moving the resolution, said the British Commoni wealth had received many grievous I blows but there wore always two sides to a situation and the other side was being made brighter by recent happenings, including ever-increasing American aid and the mobilisation of manpower in New Zealand. There was no need for pessimism but at the same time we should not fall into th*.? deadly error of complacency. The Hon. W. Perry, seconding th<* motion, urged full compulsory and universal national service, and said that every individual could help. He instanced what could be done by saving waste, helping with funds and checking extravagance. He said that the pay of the armed forces was inadequate and asked the Government to overhaul the whole position. There was also a need for reorganisation in the armed forces, and “a little healthy sacking” would enable younger men to replace those who had outlived their usefulness. A National Government was needed, if only to improve public morale. Several other speakers followed on similar lines, the Hon. J. K. Archer ■•aying that, the pay of privates should be increased and that of officers reduced. He opposed a National Government because ho said he could not see one man in the Opposition who would improve the present team.