Title: War Economy

Author: Baker, J. V. T.

Publication details: Historical Publications Branch, 1965, Wellington

Part of: The Official History of New Zealand in the Second World War 1939–1945

This text is the subject of: ‘Something of Them Is Here Recorded’: Official History in New Zealand

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The National Supply Committee's Contribution

The work of the National Supply Committee, while not fully effective, for reasons already mentioned, proved most valuable on the outbreak of war. Firstly, all the action to be taken by Government officials had been predetermined and recorded in a Government War Book, together with drafts of the emergency legislation required. Built up in peacetime, the organisation was ready for the declaration of emergency. It enabled New Zealand to pass with comparative ease from peace to war conditions. Secondly, those reserves which had been accumulated helped New Zealand industries to carry on during the early period when overseas supplies were difficult to obtain.

Stocks were generally below normal, except in some essential lines which had received special attention, but it is probable that stocks of many essential commodities were not as far below normal as they would have been without the Committee's jogging of both Government and private enterprise.