THE ARMED SERVICES

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 86, Issue 308, 31 December 1942, Page 3

THE ARMED SERVICES

REMARKABLE EXPANSION DOMINION’S WAR EFFORT Auckland, Dec. 28. Reviewing New Zealand’s war effort in a broadcast address last night, the Minister of Defence, the Hon. F. Jones, said the expansion of the armed forces in the last four years had been in every way remarkable. At the outbreak of war. said the ?»finister, there were only 700 men in rhe Royal New Zealand Navy, and now tn ere were nearly ten times that number serving in the New Zealand and British Navies. There were 16,000 men in the New Zealand Army in September, 1939, but now the total in uniform had shown a tenfold increase. Our Air Force, which had been a mere handful, now had over 7000 men. and the total would soon Lop 10,000. The New Zealand forces overseas had proved themselves indomitable lighters, continued Mr. Jones, who referred to the achievements of the Dominion’s soldiers, airmen and sailors. Brave and skilful service had also been given by the Army nurses in far-off lands. Three years ago, the personnel of the three armed services numbered only 2 per cent, of the population. Now it was about 10 per cent. The Minister paid a tribute to the work of those engaged in essential industry, the men and women on the arms, and also those responsible for the training and instruction of the armed forces. To the thousands of relatives who had suffered loss, he said their sorrow would prove to be not in vain. The spirit of brave men lived on.