The Waikato Times SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 23, 1944 RE-ALLOCATION OF MANPOWER

Waikato Times, Volume 195, Issue 22461, 23 September 1944, Page 4

The Waikato Times SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 23, 1944 RE-ALLOCATION OF MANPOWER

In New Zealand as in other Allied countries the progress of the war in Europe has made possible a review of the manpower resources to meet conditions that will obtain when Germany has been defeated and Japan becomes the final enemy. It has been known for some time that New Zealand could not indefinitely maintain more than one division in the field besides a large air force and navy and at the same time continue the general war effort at full efficiency. Therefore it has been decided to maintain the Second Division in Italy until that campaign is completed, reinforcing it from other manpower available, and at the end of the campaign to review the position. On this basis it has been found possible to replace men who have served in the Middle East for three years or more. The men replaced will be directed to essential industries. When the war in Europe is ended, the Prime Minister intimated, it may be necessary to give consideration to the question of making forces available for the war against Japan. The whole problem is being handled by the United Nations and was apparently the subject of decisions at the recent conference at Quebec between Mr Churchill and Mr Roosevelt. It is obvious that at the end of the war in Europe the Allies will have at their disposal far more men than can possibly be employed efficiently in the field against the Japanese. , The aim will be to make the Allied war machine in the Far East function with the maximum effect. That will require enormous shipping tonnage and a considerable change in the nature of war production. Most if not all of the United Nations will find it necessary to re-allocate their manpower accordingly. Britain’s plan in this connection has been announced in a White Paper. It cannot be emphasised too strongly that the British Empire does not intend to leave the defeat of Japan to others. British interests in the Far East are too imperative to permit of any such attitude. Nor will the United States be able to send the whole of its immense army to the Pacific. The fighting and production fronts will be balanced to give the best possible results and there will be some surplus of manpower to begin repairing the most serious ravages of the war. But Japan will suffer the maximum weight that can be brought to bear within the limitations of transport over vast stretches of ocean. What that means Japan will learn to her cost.