MORE PRODUCTION.

Auckland Star, Volume LXXI, Issue 143, 18 June 1940, Page 10

MORE PRODUCTION.

N.Z.'S WAR EFFORT. OFFERS OF ASSISTANCE. MB. SULLIVAN GRATIFIED. (By Telegraph.—Press Association.) WELLI\GXOiS r , this day. '"Since the outbreak of war New Zea- | laud manufacturers liave been adapting themselves to tlie transformation from peacetime economy to wartime production, " said the Minister of Supply, the Hon. D. G. Sullivan, when referring, in an interview last evening to factories and other resources placed at the disposal of the Government for the furtherance of the Dominion's war effort. Manufacturers, he addrd, had given their co-operation to the Government by supplying all demands for defence equipnient. Despite the extra strain thrown on their resources by all this additional work they had loyally endeavoured to maintain production for civilian requirements also. "There may be some lines of domestic I origin that are not quite as plentiful as they usually are," said Ivlr. Sullivan, '"but 1 think our people will realise that in these eases the demand for defence purposes has slowed production for civilian use and that they will accept the situation with equanimity. The needs of the defence forces must take precedence over all else. Our soldiers and airmen must be adequately equipped. Well Equipped Troops. "The New Zealand Expeditionary Force will be one of the best equipped with clothing and one of the best shod forces serving in the theatres of war. Woollen mills, clothing factories and footwear factories have adapted their production and their resources in a most admirable manner." Mr. Sullivan said not every industry could be adapted to war work, but he wished to thank sincerely all manufacturers who, both individually and through their trade groups, had offered to the Government full use. of their resources and plant to be used for the furtherance of New Zealand's war effort in any way the Government deemed advisable. Not only manufacturers, but individual members of the community with specialised knowledge and attainments had written freely offering their services to the Government. "I need hardly say," paid Mr. Sullivan, "that all this evidence of cooperation and goodwill has been most encouraging to the. Government. We cannot, however, transform things overnight and it has not been possible to take advantage of every offer received. I can assure those who have mada offers which the Government cannot use at the moment that the Government has not lost sight of them. Should the time arise when they can bo fully accepted we will not hesitate to do so. Workers Back to Trades. "Recently I appealed to former workers in the clothing and footwear trades to return to work if they could possibly arrange to do so. I am pleased to say the response was instantaneous and most gratifying. There may be some who have written olferinjr to return to work who have not bec.'< absorbed as yet. I would ask them to be in readiness because we cannot absorb large numbers into these trades before they are ready to receive them. "To all our manufacturers and to all our workers I would give this message: 'Carry on and maintain production at the highest possible level. If opportunity comes whereby your services can l>e used to greater advantage in the prosecution of the war effort the change will certainly be made.' "In Hie meantime, the one thing that stands out is the necessity for maintaining and increasing production, for working with a will, and for maintaining a spirit of quiet confidence and eschewing all defeatist and pessimistic ideas. The task before us is no light one, but the resources available to us as an Empire are well-nigh limitless."