NEW ZEALAND SOCIETY IN WORLD WAR II A SOCIETY AT WAR

NEW ZEALAND SOCIETY IN WORLD WAR II The outbreak of war When was broke out, the government had to change the country onto a war footing. This meant changes to people’s lives. Three major changes included: Manpowering Rationing Home defence

NEW ZEALAND SOCIETY IN WORLD WAR II Manpowering The term “manpowering” refers to the use of human resources in wartime. In New Zealand, there were two types of manpowering 1. Military – the provision of sufficient men to fight for New Zealand 2. Industrial – ensuring there were sufficient workers to enable the New Zealand to keep the economy going and to produce wartime goods.

NEW ZEALAND SOCIETY IN WORLD WAR II Military manpowering Military needs were met in two main ways: Volunteering – men chose to enlist in the armed forces to fight for New Zealand. Volunteers filled most of New Zealand’s initial military needs. Conscription – compulsory military service, introduced in October 1940, initially single men between 19 and 45, but later including married men

NEW ZEALAND SOCIETY IN WORLD WAR II Analysing – an important thinking skill An important quality for an historian to develop is ANALYTICAL THINKING. This most often occurs when an historian analyses the causes and consequences of an event or situation in the past. Copy the fishbone diagram on the next slide. For each “bone”, identify a possible consequence for a man who volunteered or was conscripted to serve in the New Zealand armed forces. You may work in pairs or threes to help you complete this task. The first one is done for you.

NEW ZEALAND SOCIETY IN WORLD WAR II Consequences of military service Consequences of joining the military Less personal freedom

NEW ZEALAND SOCIETY IN WORLD WAR II Exemptions from military service Some men could appeal to be exempted from military service if The person could be of more benefit to the war effort by staying in his job The person held an important community position His military service would cause undue hardship to others who really needed him The person was a genuine conscientious objector TASK: Provide an example of a situation where a person could be exempted for each of these reasons.

NEW ZEALAND SOCIETY IN WORLD WAR II Soldier or conscientious objector? What did it take for a man to be either a soldier or an objector? What personal qualities would be required for each role? What qualities might be shared by both? Draw a Venn diagram like the one below. Put desirable qualities for a soldier on the left hand circle, objectors in the right hand circle, but common qualities where the circles overlap.

NEW ZEALAND SOCIETY IN WORLD WAR II Industrial manpowering Industries essential to the war effort included: Munitions factories Butter and cheese factories Woollen and knitting mills Clothing and footwear factories Tanneries Hospitals Freezing works Flax timber and coalmining industries Power supply Some services in Railways Department TASK Choose FOUR of these industries and provide at least ONE reason why each industry would be essential to the war effort.

NEW ZEALAND SOCIETY IN WORLD WAR II How manpowering affected people’s lives In 1939, Mr O’Connor’s mother was about to enter an art college to train as a commercial artist. When war broke out, the art college was closed and she and other prospective artists were directed into essential war work. Mr O’Connor’s mother worked for Millers sewing soldiers’ uniforms. Look at the lotus blossom diagram over the page. Discuss with classmates how her life might have changed as a result of this new role and then complete the diagram in your notes.

NEW ZEALAND SOCIETY IN WORLD WAR II New workmates How Lorna’s life changed New workplace Different working hours Learn new skills ? ??

NEW ZEALAND SOCIETY IN WORLD WAR II Rationing “Rationing” is the name given to the distribution of scarce resources in wartime. Scarcity came about for a variety of reasons: Factories producing scarce goods convert to wartime production Goods freely available in peacetime are diverted for use by the armed services Imported goods may be scarce because of enemy control of sources of goods, or transport difficulties The government may decide to restrict goods to divert a surplus to other Allied countries

NEW ZEALAND SOCIETY IN WORLD WAR II Issuing new ration books 1944 What do you find interesting or unusual about this photograph?

NEW ZEALAND SOCIETY IN WORLD WAR II What goods were rationed? Petrol Sugar and tea Foodstuffs such as eggs, meat and dairy products Clothing, footwear and household linen (e.g. towels, sheets) Some goods were not formally rationed, but were affected by shortages during wartime. Building materials were scarce due to military needs. Housing shortages were common and coal, gas and wood supplies were sometime uncertain, leading to problems with heating and cooking.

NEW ZEALAND SOCIETY IN WORLD WAR II Effects of shortages Read the article opposite. 1. Why has the Tramways Board been instructed to curtail (cut back) its mileages 2. What effects has the war had on tramways services? A particular wartime shortage was elastic. What impact do you think this shortage might have on people’s lives? (HINT: Think of what elastic is used in, or what ordinary items contain elastic or rubber).

NEW ZEALAND SOCIETY IN WORLD WAR II Use evidence from the cartoon to explain the point that the cartoonist is making about life in wartime New Zealand.

NEW ZEALAND SOCIETY IN WORLD WAR II Home Defence New Zealand’s defence was divided into three main groups: Home Guard – a male organisation consisting of men exempted from overseas military service because of age, health or other requirements. It was to defend NZ if attacked. Emergency Precautions Service – a form of civil defence that worked in cooperation with police, fire brigade to organise transport, distribute food and clothing, organise evacuation in the event of an emergency through enemy attack. Women’s War Service Auxiliary – an umbrella organisation to coordinate existing women’s groups to undertake voluntary war work (e.g. operating canteens in military camps, supporting the Home Guard and EPS).

NEW ZEALAND SOCIETY IN WORLD WAR II What do these images tell us? Above: Members of the EPS acting as Special Police march to their posts Below: Minhinnick’s cartoon about wartime service. What types of people are represented in each group? Why has Minhinnick entitled this cartoon “The Ins and Outs”?

NEW ZEALAND SOCIETY IN WORLD WAR II The end of the war VJ Day 15 August 1945 – crowds celebrate the end of the war in Colombo Street Christchurch

NEW ZEALAND SOCIETY IN WORLD WAR II How significant was World War II? The significance of an event could be determined by: –the importance of the event to people alive at the time –how deeply people’s lives were affected at the time –how many lives were affected –the length of time people’s lives were affected –the extent to which the event continues to affect society. For EACH of these points, write 1-2 sentences explaining ways in which World War II can be considered a significant event in the lives of New Zealanders.