END OF BIG JOB

Auckland Star, Volume LXXVI, Issue 200, 24 August 1945, Page 8

END OF BIG JOB

MUNITION WORKERS

FORD FACTORY CONVERTED

When the VJ whistles blew most munition workers in New Zealand clowned tools for good, marking the completion of some of the largest manufacturing undertakings ever carried out in this Dominion. In accordance with the direction given by the Controller of Munitions, work stopped immediately at the New Zealand Ford Factory at Lower Hutt, on three types of munitions which have been produced in big quantities—hand grenades, mortar bombs, and artillery fuses. Hundreds of women, many of whom have been working at the plant for three years or more, are affected by the completion of this work. The majority were directed to the factory by the Manpower Department, but many, including elderly women, were volunteers. They came from all parts of New Zealand and while many have elected to return to their homes, others, in response to an appeal, have offered their services to other industries. Following the holidays at the cessation of hostilities, the company farewelled their munition workers with a pleasant ceremony at the factory's lunch-room. Among those who attended were Mr. W. G. M. Colquhoun, Controller of Munitions, Colonel Withell, Army Inspection Department, and Mr. H. Parsonage, National Service Department, and other officials representing Government departments associated with the production of munitions. Directors of the company and guest speakers paid tribute to the munitions staff and the splendid work they have carried out. Reference was made, in particular, to the happy atmosphere and the team spirit which has prevailed. It was announced that the Ford factory produced more than six million hand grenades, more than a million artillery fuses and a similar quantity of mortar bombs. In addition, the company built nearly. six thousand military vehicles, and rebuilt over a thousand war salvaged jeeps, and more than 130 marine engines for invasion craft and submarine destroyers. The factory has now reverted to peacetime . production. As commercial vehicles are the most urgent need, the factory is at first concentrating on the production of trucks, but passenger vehicles and tractors will later be coming off the assembly lines in good quantity.