Ask to use material, get more information or tell us about an item
1939 was a pivotal year in New Zealand history. The country was on the eve of celebrating its centenary in 1940. A Labour Government had been elected to a second term of office and while its Finance Minister was overseas re-financing a loan, its leader was facing a slow death by cancer. As the coldest winter for years grudgingly gave way to spring, crisis deepened in Europe. Alwyn Owen looks back on the first eight months of 1939 and traces the gathering tension that culminated the outbreak of war on September 3rd.
Alwyn Owen details the state of the country's political landscape in January 1939: the newly-re-elected Labour government was dealing with an internal power struggle between leader Michael Joseph Savage and John A. Lee.
A letter to the editor of "Radio Record" is read, predicting a crisis in Europe later in the year.
Retired university lecturer Les Cleveland recalls the era. He says people were still haunted by the Depression and fearful of the situation developing in Europe. He recalls a clash he had with Archbishop West-Watson while he was working as a reporter for The Press in Christchurch.
The Archbishop was opposed to the government's social security proposals, saying they would undermine the family.
Alwyn describes the media landscape in New Zealand at the time. German propaganda broadcasts could be picked up by keen radio listeners.
(Archival recording of a broadcast excerpt of an address by Adolf Hitler.)
Les Cleveland says many regarded Hitler as a bit of a joke, but Jewish refugees arriving in New Zealand could tell a different story. He remembers a family he knew in Christchurch and says people who were better-informed knew of the danger developing in Europe.
A defence conference was held in Wellington in 1939. New Zealand had concerns about Japan's intentions in the Pacific but Britain was not too concerned.
Captain Jack Elworthy, who was a soldier at Trentham, remembers the preparations involved cleaning and rehabilitating camp kitchen equipment which had been in storage since 1918.
Alwyn Owen recalls music of the time: "Down Mexico Way" and Nazi song "Die Fahne Hoch" - excerpts of both are played.
Meanwhile, the ill-health of Prime Minister Savage caused concern. He had cancer but this was not revealed - only that he was undergoing abdominal surgery. An official announcement is read and newspaper articles about the situation in Britain and Europe.
On August 21 Germany and Russia signed a non-aggression pact. And then on September 1st Hitler invaded Poland. Acting Prime Minister Peter Fraser announced that the Governor-General had proclaimed a state of emergency in New Zealand.
Ena Ryan, who was living in Kelburn, remembers that for her well-off family the prospect of war still seemed a long way off. She went skiing in August at Mt Ruapehu, staying in The Chateau and can't remember anyone there talking about the prospect of war.
Excerpts of archival recordings of Neville Chamberlain's broadcast that Britain was at war with Germany and Michael Joseph Savage's broadcast that New Zealand would stand with Britain. Tom Nicol (?) and Ena Ryan recall their reaction to the news that New Zealand was at war. Alwyn Owen recalls his parents talking to him and his brother about it and his mother's fears for his 18 year old brother.