B.—()

The Maori has justified this principle by his splendid service during the present war, where with his pakeha comrades on the field of battle, in the air, and on the sea, he has established a reputation for endurance and fightingqualities unexcelled by the men of any nation. Following their great triumph in Europe the Maoris have already expressed their desire to fight on the Pacific front until final victory has been achieved. The people of New Zealand are proud of the co-operation between the Maori and pakeha, and look forward to fighting together during the war, and when the conflict ceases to each taking his part in the reconstruction work necessary for the improved economy of the Dominion and the rehabilitation of our servicemen and servicewomen. On the primary-production side of our country's activities, the contribution has been a meritorious one. Our objective has been to produce as large an export surplus as possible not only to assist in relieving the very stringent conditions in the United Kingdom, but to provide for the American Forces and our own to the greatest possible extent. Rationing has been cheerfully accepted by the people and lias enabled a substantial increase to be made in our supplies for overseas, while at the same time imports have been restricted to essentials, thus enabling valuable cargo space to be utilized to the best possible purposes. In spite of the many difficulties, and our commitments both in New Zealand and overseas, the Dominion's food-production in the war years has been greater than at any other time in its history. From the outbreak of war to the end of 1944 New Zealand had shipped to Great Britain 1,655,000 tons of meat, 734,000 tons of butter, and 638,000 tons of cheese, while up to the same date the American Forces had been supplied with 132,000 tons of meat, 17,000 tons of butter, 6,000 tons of cheese, 16,000 tons of canned and dehydrated vegetables, 78,000 tons of fresh vegetables. A total of 46,000 tons of biscuits had also been exported during this period. The expansion of trade over the war years, as measured .in. value, is set out in the figures of the following table which includes all. exports and imports other than those received or supplied under reciprocal lend-lease. 1940. 1941. 1942. 1943. 1944. £ £ £ £ £ Exports .. 73,741,000 67,479,000 81,285,000 71,865,000 77,705,000 Imports .. 48,998,000 49,167,000 42,856,000 68,148,000 65,287,000 As regards our secondary industries, although New Zealand's factories are comparatively small and scattered, and in spite of the demands of the Armed Services, the value of factory production has increased by over 50 per cent, since the outbreak of war. Not only has New Zealand developed new lines ol production, including munitions, but pre-war industries of an essential nature have been greatly increased. As an example of the success which has been achieved in this connection, it might be mentioned that since the outbreak of war New Zealand has produced over £13,000,000 worth of munitions and engineering stores. Our woollen-mills and boot and shoe factories have attained record production and have kept not only our Armed Forces fully equipped, but have supplied other countries as well. Before the war shipbuilding in New Zealand was confined almost entirely to the construction of launches and pleasure craft, but during the war we have built several hundred small ships and barges for our own and the United States Forces. To complete this programme, two new shipyards have been established in Auckland, the yards at Port Chalmers have been expanded, and practically every available shipwright and engineering works in the Dominion has been employed in prefabricating necessary parts or other war work. In addition, extensive ship-repairs have been carried out for the* British, United States, and other Governments. It is of interest to note the substantial increase in aggregate private incomes during recent years, as shown by the following statistics : — 1935-36. 1939-40. 1943-44. £(m.) £(m.) £(m.) Salaries and wages .. .. .. 72*5 112-8 175-9 Other income of individuals .. .. 40-4 52-6 59-8 Social security benefits and pensions .. 3-6 11-2 15-7 Sustenance payments.. .. .. l-l Company income .. .. . . 7-0 23-6 40-9 £124-6 £200-2 £292-3

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