NEEDS OF FORCES

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 61, Issue 24, 8 November 1940, Page 3

NEEDS OF FORCES

MUNITIONS AND CLOTHING.

DOMINION FACTORIES PRAISED

(Per Press Association).

NEW PLYMOUTH, November 7

Appreciation of New Zealand’s \war effort and the splendid spirit of cooperative response from all sections of the community were expressed in an address by # the Minister for Supply (the Hou. I). G. Sullivan) in an address to the conference of the Associated (Chambers of Commerce this morning. Tire Minister was welcomed by the president (Mr W. S. Mac Gibbon), who emphasised that while retaining the privilege of criticism of the Government, the chambers’ desire was to bo constructive and helpful, and to co-operate to the fullest extent. They looked to the Government, said Mr Mac Gibbon, to give some guidance in carrying on their work.

In his reply the Minister said lie felt that in the last few years there had been a change in the attitude of the business community to the Government as constituted to-day, and a more ready spirit to co-operate. That made the Government more sensible of any criticism against its proposals. The Minister said the Government

could offer them nothing at present in the way of business relief from taxation and restriction, because all the energies of the country had to bend to the task of achieving victory. With his knowledge of the workers, and from his meetings with them, Mr Sullivan said ho knew that in spite of some minor signs that they, or some of them, were not doing all they might in the great effort of the country, in the main the workers were just as concerned and as loyal as other sections of the community. He referred also to the development in New Zealand of the munitions industry, and the wonderful way in which men and women workers had increased small arms and ammunition output. “Very few 1 people in New Zealand have any idea of the extent of the work being done in the production of

munitions in this country,” said the Minister. “For obvious reasons it is not possible to go into details, to refer to localities, or to indicate quantities; but a very great amount of work is being' diGjpe, and done well. For instance, a new explosive filling factory lias been established. Production of small-airms ammunition for rifles, ma-chine-guns, and, aeroplanes has been increased)'to a tremendous extent. This necessitated new ‘ plant, machinery, etc., much of which had to be made here._ Bren gun carriers, light tanks with a high rate of speed, are being made, and the first completed unit has already had its official test. This is a particularly big job. High-explosive bombs, trench mortars, hand grenades, steel helmets, and innumerable items required by the Army, Navy and Air Force are being made in large quantities by private firms, as well as by thje Government itself. •

Clothing Output. ©

“The clothing and! equipment of ou.v armed forces is a huge task which has been tackled with grreat efficiency and success by New Zealand manufacturers,” the Minister said. “By the end of this year our factories will have ■ produced 340,000 pairs of boots for the forces. Weekly production by woollen mills has increased as follows: Blankets, week ended January 27, 1450 pairs, Week endbd September 30, 6475pairs, sticks, pairs, 8400, 10,247; great coating, yards, 1150, t>4oß ; tunic cloth, yard's) 6950, 17,704. Clothing factories since March-, 1940, have .prodiiced 60,000 suits of battle dress. In addition, clothing factories since March have made 305,906 articles of clothing for the Army, including’such items as greatcoats, tunics, trousers, hats, etc., and for the Air Force a, further 83,000 articles have been made. There is a rigid system of inspection during manufacture, and that this lias (been successful is proved by the high quality of the articles, which Iras been so favourably commented on by numerous overseas sources.

“The supply organisation covers a vic-ry wide field administered by 11 con - trollers under my direction, whose activities are co-ordinated through the secretariat, which is in the Department of Industries and Commerce. One of the activities of the supply organisation was the accumulation of reserves of certain essential commodities befone the outbreak of war, These have been of tremendous value.”