PRODUCTION OF F.N. RIFLE

Press, Volume XCVI, Issue 28435, 15 November 1957, Page 22

PRODUCTION OF F.N. RIFLE

Committee Ensures Uniformity

(N.Z. Press Association—Copyright) CANBERRA, November 13. A committee representing the United Kingdom, Canada, Belgium and Australia is meeting at Lithgow, New South Wales, this week, to guide the making of the F.N. .30 rifle. This was stated today by the Minister for Defence Production, Mr Howard Beale. He said the committee had been set up to ensure that all parts of the new rifle will work and be interchangeable whether made in Canada, the United Kingdom or Australia. The F.N. rifle is to replace the Lee Enfield .303 as the standard service rifle in all British Commonwealth countries. Lectures at Factory The Minister said that the International Rifle Steering Committee had lectured foremen, engineers, draughtsmen and Army inspection staff at Lithgow small arms factory about early production difficulties and how they could be overcome. Members of the committee were confident that the project was being properly planned and developed to ensure economic and efficient production comparable with that being achieved overseas. Mr Beale said Canada and the United Kingdom had shown interest in Australian coachwood for use in the butt and pistol grip of the rifle. Samples of the timber had been sent to both countries.