Js»—-6

Such activities as housing and hydro-electric-power development were given special attention, and it is satisfactory to note that from 1939 to 1945 no less than 8,500 housing units were completed at a cost of £14,000,000, while hydro-electric development accounted for a further £20,000,000. As hydro-electricity supplies play such an important part in the development of the Dominion, such undertakings were regarded as priority works even during the war period. Thus in 1936 the main Government plants generated a total of 793,000,000 units, whereas by 1945 the output had been increased to 2,083,000,000 units. In spite of the necessity to satisfy other pressing demands, New Zealand has increased her generating-capacity by no less than 57 per cent, since the war started. Full implementation of the Government's social security scheme was also hampered somewhat as a result of the war, but, nevertheless, it was possible to make substantial advances, as is shown by the fact that social security payments increased from £7,000,000 in 1938-39 to £23,000,000 in 1945^-46. International co-operation The cost of war in terms of human sacrifice—quite apart from its financial implications—renders it imperative that New Zealand should co-operate to the fullest possible extent with peace-loving nations in building up the fabric of a world organization which will banish for all time fears of war from the hearts of mankind. The re-establishment of decent standards of living in countries torn asunder by the war is a first pre-requisite in building the necessary frame-work within which such international co-operation becomes possible. The devastation and suffering in the occupied countries has to be seen to be properly appreciated, but unless those favoured countries which have the resources are prepared to assist to the maximum of their respective abilities, not only will that suffering be continued unnecessarily, but the fruits of victory will be denied to the United Nations. Various organizations have been established overseas, under the auspices of the United Nations with a view to providing relief and hastening reconstruction, and New Zealand is an active contributor and participant in them all. Under UNRRA we have supplied personnel, foodstuffs, supplies, and equipment, and to cover our proportion of the total expenditure, Parliament has already voted the sum of £2 6 millions. A request was recently made by UNRRA for an additional contribution of a like amount and this has already been agreed to, subject to ratification by Parliament this session. It is anticipated that the activities of UNRRA, as such, will be discontinued at the end of this year, although it is probable that further assistance will be necessary by

4