35 and 50. The threat is eased after the Battle of the Coral Sea. New Zealand troops in First and Second Battles of El Alamein. Food rationing introduced. Mobilisation of women for essential work. 12 June: First 5 ships of American troops from the 37th US Army Division land in Auckland. 14 June: First American Marines from the 1st Corps Division land in Wellington. 1943 New Zealand troops take part in invasion of Italy. February: Mutiny by Japanese prisoners of war at Featherston prisoner of war camp results in 48 Japanese dead, 61 wounded, plus one dead and 11 injured guards. 3 April: Battle of Manners Street between American and New Zealand servicemen 20 June: Several Marines drown during landing exercises at Paekakariki 28 August: Eleanor Roosevelt arrives in New Zealand for visit. 3 September: Eleanor Roosevelt flies out from Auckland. 25 September: General election, Labour re-elected. October: Butter rationing begins. 1944 Australia-New Zealand Agreement provides for co-operation in the South Pacific. NZ Troops suffer heavy losses during The Italian Campaign March: Meat rationing begins, 1945 New Zealand signs United Nations charter. Māori Social and Economic Advancement Act passed. National Airways Corporation founded. 15 December: Main North Line railway completed between Christchurch and Picton. 1946 Family benefit of £1 per week becomes universal. Bank of New Zealand nationalised. 24 November: 1946 New Zealand general election. 20 August: Railway disaster in Manawatu Gorge Full independence (1947 to 1983) 1947 to 1949 1947 Statute of Westminster adopted with the Statute of Westminster Adoption Act 1947, passed by the New Zealand Parliament. New Zealand Constitution Amendment (Request and Consent) Act 1947 passed, granting Parliament of New Zealand the ability to amend the New Zealand Constitution Act 1852. First public performance by National Orchestra. Mabel Howard becomes first woman cabinet minister. Fire in Ballantyne's department store, Christchurch, 41 people die. 1948 British Nationality and New Zealand Citizenship Act 1948 passed. Protest campaign against exclusion of Māori players from rugby tour of South Africa. Polio epidemic closes schools. Mount Ruapehu and Mount Ngauruhoe erupt. September: Meat rationing ends. 1949 1 January: New Zealanders become "British Subjects and New Zealand Citizens" Referendum agrees to compulsory military training. New Zealand gets first four navy frigates. 30 November: General election: National Government elected. 1950s 1950 Naval and ground forces sent to Korean War. New Zealand Legislative Council abolished. Wool boom. June: Butter rationing ends. 1951 Prolonged waterfront dispute,