RADIO EXPERTS

Dominion, Volume 37, Issue 203, 25 May 1944, Page 4

RADIO EXPERTS

New Zealand Team For Britain

REQUEST BY HOME GOVERNMENT

At the request of the United Kingdom Government, a team of New Zealand radio technicians and scientists are to be made available to the United Kingdom Ministry of Production. In making this announcement last night, the Minister of Supply and Munitions, Mr. Sullivan, said that for the past two years the radio manufacturing industry in New Zealand bad been concent rated on the productio uof wireless signals equipment for our own and Allied lighting services. This equipment had been a success in mechanized units and particularly ill Jungle warfare. “So favourable has been the reputation of this New Zealand designed and _l’rodjiced equipment that the United Kingdom Government has requested the New Zealand Government to make available a team of technicians and scientists.” said Mr. Sullivan. “This request the War Cabinet has sympathetically viewed, and we are making available to the United Kingdom a number of our experts in this important work. “The selection of the team, which is fully representative of the interests engaged in the production of this wireless equipment, has been no simple task. The needs of the United Kingdom had to be given full weight while our own heavy production schedules had to be maintained. Certain key men whom we would have willingly sent because of their skill and knowledge we have been compelled to retain in New Zealand to supervise and work on the home front. “The men are going for serious and important work. The fact that they are going is a very high tribute to New Zealand. and to the skill of her radio technicians and scientists. It is very gratifying to me, as it must be to those engaged in the production, that such outstanding success should have rewarded their efforts.” The Minister said that after a careful study of all the factors involved it had been decided that the following personnel would be made available to the United Kingdom Ministry of Production : Messrs. R. J. Orbpll (Radio (1936), Ltd.), J. M. Gifford (Radio Corporation). A. Gregg (Phillips Lamps). J. Walker (Radio Development Laboratory of D.S. and 1.R.), P. C. Hill (P. & T. Dept.), L. Fergusson (International Traders), N. Curtis (Dominion Radio), R. Schrodroski (P. & T. Dept.). R. Long (Radio (193(5). Etd.). Captain K. Collett (2nd N.Z.E.F.), and Lieut. Josephs (Signals Experimental Establishment. N.Z. Mr. R. Slade, Controller of Radio Production, will accompany the team, and while he is in the United Kingdom, he will be in a consultative capacity. He will also discuss supply and production nuestions with the ’authorities in Great Britain, and the United States of America.