FORESTRY UNIT

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 87, Issue 233, 2 October 1943, Page 4

FORESTRY UNIT

ONE-THIRD RETURNING TO NEW ZEALAND (P.A.) Wellington, Oct. 1. Referring last night to the cabled announcement of the arrival in the United States of members of the New Zealand Forestry Unit, the Prime Minister (Mr. Fraser) said that as a result of arrangements made with the United Kingdom authorities, approximately one-third of the Forestry Group which had been serving in Britain since 1940 was being brought bsfck to New Zealand. The object of the Government in recalling expert bushmen and sawmillers was to give much-needed relief in the timber industry. f Mr. Fraser said that continually in- ' ~ creasing demands were being made on the Dominion's timber industry by both the United States and our own Armed Forces in New Zealand and in the South Pacific area. The return of these highly-skilled men, who had rendered splendid service to the war effort in the United Kingdom, would provide considerable and timely assist- ’ ance in meeting one of the urgent war needs of industry. The occasion had been marked, said Mr. Fraser, by an exchange of telegrams between the British and New Zealand Governments. In a message to the Prime Minister the Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs stated that the British Government had seen the members of the New' Zealand Forestry Group go with much regret. Their contribution to the common resources had ben of the greatest value, and they had worthily unheld in Great Britain the tradition J of New Zealand. The people of Britain . wished them all prosperity and success irl the tasks which lay before them. Mr. Fraser replied expressing warm appreciation of the message. The recognition of their contribution to the common cause, he said, would give much pleasure. “We are most, grateful to the British people for the ready hospitality they extended to those men. who will. I know, be much \ gratified by the message of en- z couragement for the work which now lies ahead of them,” added the Prime Minister.