WAR MUNITIONS

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2558, 4 September 1915, Page 6

WAR MUNITIONS

; n ■ V -A*'AN IMPORTANT CONFERENCE COMMITTEE SET UP TO REPORTi ■ -At the' invitation of fho Minister in -charge of Munitions and Supplies (the Hon, A. M. Myers) a large number of the leading'engineers , and experts of tne Dominion assembled iii conference m Wellington .yesterday for the pur« ppse of considering' whether it'is praoticable atid;. feasible, tc manufacture . munitions l of . war in New Zealand. In opening the conference Mr. Myers, :• on behalf of the Government, thankedall present for .having accepted the in- : vitatioii to attend this important conference. Not a single refusal had been Toceived, which was tangible proof of " , the desire : of. those interested in the mchanical • and engineering industry of the Dominion to do everything within their power to assist in manufacturing " r in New Zealand munitions for military purposes. The possibility of making any of the following would bo placed be-' , ; fore them for consideration:—2opr. shells, complete or in pari; 4.0 m. shells, complete. or in part; maxim guns; rifle?parts; bayonets and- scabbards. Tho numerous letters the Minister of. Defence and he liad-received ,since lie'had taken charge of the Mu- - nitioiis Department, making suggestions' and ottering services for the realisathe desire that New Zealand' should endeavour to help in regard to the above matters, was' tangible proof," if proof wereneeded, of tlio wishes of; the people of this Dominion to' do oytfrything in their power to assist Great .Britain and her; Allies in bringing tils' war to a; successful conclusion. Mr. Myers pointed out .that this was essentially a!n engineer's war; a war of lethal weapons, and one in which'vic■tory will lie. with the side which will ; be ablo to discharge tho largest, quail- "' ■tity of death-dealing missiles over the " longest range, and continued through. .: the longest period •of time. Further,; , that the utmost efforts we could pub forth will not be more than sufficient to 'quell the power of -the formidable snemy . that threatens the Empire. The Minister explained the action taken' ■by the Government in offering to send to Great Britain workers skilled in the' - manufacture of' munitions, and tlie re- - - suit' of inquiries instituted with a view : tc- ascertaining whether it was -possible ■ to secure from any source material and plant .' suitable for- the manufacture of munitions in New Zealand. ■ At Mr. Myers's request the members!"" ! of the conference .then made an inspect tion. of an exhaustive exhibit 1 of munii '. . . tions and equipment arranged by the Defence authorities. Brigadier-General; ! Robin explained the requirements of the military authorities in the matter, after:, • •;' f. which the conference'proceeded with the) : *. consideration of. tHe question-as to the ' extent' to which further assistance' -might' be rendered.-' The majority of :' tho members expressed, their view on ; . this: all-important question, andv.it was quite.evident thatail present were'most desirous to do everything possible to '•. place .their, skill; advice, and establish- ; ' ,ments at .the disposal-of the Govern- ' ni'ent in. any direction, if it were' found!' V; practicable^that: the manufacture :of ; shells; or guns, or any portions of the: military; equipment, could be, . taken in this Dominion. The. tpno. of' 'V-.!.' theineeting was most enthusiastic, aud. showed an' earliest.-desire to-do every--V thing possible ,to copci w-ith 'the present i\ v .!/ V( ; situation.-. so far as' -the 'means".at'!'{heir. : r;■■ disposal -would permit-. _ ; r The question of material required and' ( • the necessary tools was discussed' .at/ ~ ■ length, and it was ultimately resolved'( that the following, gentlemen be appoint-1 1 pd a committee to'draw up ; a report-, if!! !; ■possible in time to submit to a conference of engineers wfaich is-taking place in Ohristchurch';on Ihiesda-y next:— l'rofessor Scott (chairman), • Christ- ■ church; Mr. 11. H. Jackson, chief : mechanical engineer, ■ ' N.Z. Railways 9 Mr. \V> Price,- Messrs'. ;A. and G. Price,' . Thames Mr., J. Stevenson, Port. Clial- .'.,. mers; Mr. J. Keir, Messrs. P. and .D.' Duncan, Christchiirch; Professor Eastern field,, Victoria College.' .. . The. conference closed after according '• a ;hcarty vote of thanks to;. Mr- Myers r ;; : for .'bringing: the: . members 1 together. l The; Minister, in replying,,assured the';members; 011 behalf of tho' Government, . "! ' of its deep appreciation of the patriotic ', and earnest spirit that'liad characterised,-. . their deliberations, and notwithstanding'' the fact that many members came-from f - V . distant parts of the Doniinion, ono and' . all refused to acccpt even. payment of thoir travelling expenses.;'■