NEW YEAR TASKS

Waikato Times, Volume 106, Issue 22804, 31 December 1945, Page 4

NEW YEAR TASKS

REBUILDING OF SOCIETY MESSAGE FROM MR FRASER (By Telegraph.—Frew Association) WELLINGTON, Monday “I extend to all the people of New Zealand my warmest wishes for a prosperous new year. Our people have earned happiness,” said the Prime Minister, Mr Fraser, in his New Year message. The conclusion of the war has made 1945 one of the ' most historic years this country has known. The very victory which brought us such thankfulness and joy brought, too, new tasks and new responsibilities. “We were fortunately spared the devastation of war within our own shores,” said Mr Fraser, “but it is only since the end of hostilities that we have known how directly we were threatened. Japanese plans for the invasion of New Zealand were discovered and the people learned for the first time how thin was the line of defence in the South Pacific. “Our New Zealand men who served in the battle zones in all parts of the w’orld on land, at sea and in the air have earned for our Dominion a foremost place among the free nations of the world. To them and to all who served and w f orked and produced at home we owe a dept which words alone can neither express nor rapay. Tasks of Reconstruction “As New’ Zealanders we have a right to feel proud of the part our Dominion has played, along the great nations of the world, the years of war. We are now called upon to play an equally responsible and effective part in the complex task of international reconstruction and the stabilisation of peace. As we enter the first new ye.ar of peace the nations of the world are making an effort to build a structure which will preserve us fron* a repetition of the horrors of the Past six years. New Zealand has a duty not only to herself, but to t!*e Commonwealth and to the wor|d to ensure that no effort on her P ar t ) s spared to ensure the success of this tremendous task. “One aim of the conference of the United Nations at San l rancisco which I was privileged to attend was to establish international security by removing the danger of aggression, said Mr Fraser. “It was recognised that this was only part of the task. Causes of Strife “The nations today recognise that their responsibility extends to removing the economic and sofisJ causes of war. At the various cenferences before that at San Francisco and also at San Francisco, there has been a continuous development of international collaboration toward reconstructing a stable and benedcial world economy. “The best-devised system of security against aggression would be useless if another poison brew o? war were allowed to generate from economic friction between the nations. Economic warfare, depressions, hunger, poverty and de?P air —these are the conditions that undermine democracy and the love of peace. These are the conditions that made possible the opportunities for the tyrants and aggressors who Jed the world into this war. These ®re the conditions that nations and L*e w people who make nations must succeed in conquering if they are to avoid plunging into another c&taclysm. The United Nations have therefore been striving to create cooperation for mutual welfare air° n £ the nations. These efforts will be extended in a series of conferences in the coming year. Rehabilitation Problems “ Here at home the rehabilitat.on of our servicemen and service won«* in civil life is one of our paramount duties in the period of readjustment which we have entered this yea r - No effort which we as a nation ai* capable of must be spared in rewarcing them for the sacrifices they macP and in making up to them the oppoitunities they have lost. There •* cause for satisfaction in the woi*c which has already been accomplish*d in this direction. It must take foremost place in the year ahead. Mu<b can be done, and indeed much h.' been done, by departmental organ - sation, but the successful rehabilitation of our returning soldiers, sailori A and airmen must always depend 1 largely on the co-operation and tha M spirit of the people. ■ “We must now turn our eyes t<J the future,” said Mr Fraser. “ readjustment of our national from war to peace is a task of great moment for every one of us. It is for us to use wisely that freedom to guide our own destiny for which so many of New Zealand’s sons fought and died. Already we have made important advances. Legislative Action “ In the Legislature the session oil Parliament which concluded a few} weeks ago w’as one of the longest and most important for many Such measures as those providing a minimum wage, a minimum income and universal family alio ances provided a legislative work within which a society from want can be built. It is that our social services and are equalled nowhere else in world, but it must be that the whole of the structure ready built to ensure freedom want depends on the maintenance the highest possible level of tion. This means conscientious efficient work by everyone in walk of life and harmony in try. “ Again I desire to express gratitude for the splendid efforts the whole country during the years of war and to offer my best wishes for prosperity in new’ years of peace.”