HAND GRENADES

Evening Post, Volume XC, Issue 87, 11 October 1915, Page 5

HAND GRENADES

Beferenca to the money raised for the supply of machine-guns for the troops was made at the final korero of the Savago Club on Saturday evening. Since the money was raised it had been pointed out by the Minister of Defence that the ■workshops of Britain were turning out machine-guns as fast as they could, and the sending Home of money for the purpose would not, could not, as a matter of fact, accelerate the output. The club was faced -with, the question of the proper utilisation of the money, Mr. Marcus Marks (chairman of committee) explained on Saturday, as the money was devoted to a special object. It had been suggested by the Minister that as the money was subscribed to increase the efficiency of our fighting force it might be expended in rifles, but he thought the Minister's second suggestion even a better — to purchase hand-grenades for our men. These engines of destruction were now being turned out in New Zealand, and he thought it would be a very good way of exepnding the money. He asked the sanction of the' clnb to allow the executive to ezpend the money in the very best manner they thought fit. This was unanimously agreed to. The Hon. J. Allen said the factories could do no more than they were doing, and they were doing very well, from all accounts. As to the hand grenades, these were being made by the Whitney Company, of Auckland, which had presented the Government with 500 grenades. They cost 4d each. Strangely enough, he had that day heard from the War Council in England, who stated that they could supply the Dardanelles forces with all the hand grenades that were needed. This was very cheerful news indeed, as it showed that the munitions trouble was well in hand. (Applause.)