TOTAL WAR EFFORT

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 87, Issue 1, 2 January 1943, Page 4

TOTAL WAR EFFORT

AUSTRALIANS GEARED joR NEW YEAR ; ! SEVERE RATIONALISATION NECESSARY ; Sydney, Deg. 31. "The year 1943 must see at J least half of our national effort devoted to war needs, and at least one person in every two working or fighting for the war.” This is the basis for total war and war life envisaged for Australians in the New Year by Professor Copland, the New Zealand-borne Commonwealth Prices Commissioner / and economic adviser to the Federal Government. Australia will achieve her maximum war effort early in 1943, and the Curtin Government holds its task to be one of pegging that effort at the highest level, while preventing _any growth of complacency consequent on Japan’s recent worstings ’n ' the Pacific. Mr. Curtin himself is sincere in his belief that the Aust’a-lian-New Zealand area is not yet 4ut of direct danger. The diversion to war work in Australia since Japan struck just a year ago is equivalent to the diversion of about 7.000,000 skilled workers in the United States on comparative population figures. In most respects the industrial effort is far ahead of the blue print plan. For instance, deliveries of Beaufort torpedo bombers are already above schedule, and early in the New Year will double the basic monthly production set for 1942. More than 23,000 workers, including 5000 women, are engaged in the Australian aircraft industry, in addition to 40C0 employed solely on servicing work. Shipyards in the four States are working on a programme of 60 merchant shins averaging about 10,000 tops each. Severe Rationalisation. The Minister for War Organisation and Industry. Mr. Dedman, to-flay gives a warning that the 1,800.000 Australians between 14 and 65 now engaged on war work, representing 60 per cent, of the country’s entire male working populations, must be increased in 1943 by an additional 200,000- To achieve this, severe additional rationalisation will be necessary and Professor Copland has tod the public that the coming year will see them vith fewer and fewer luxuries, still further reduced travelling facilities. ess variety in clothing, simpler food, fever shops and garages, fewer deliveries, fewer entertainments, less service, smaller newspapers, higher taxation, lower profits and greaterenforced savings. “Undoubtedly 1943 will see further inroads into our ideas of what we can do with our money.” declares Professor Copland. “High spending and total war are not compatible. Nor can the business man expect relief from restrictions during 1943. or jntil the war is ended. But looking lack upon 1942 with a sense of achievement and a feeling of great relief, Australians can welcome 1943 vith greater hones and fewer fears."