MUNITIONS INDUSTRY

Evening Post, Volume CXXX, Issue 113, 8 November 1940, Page 6

MUNITIONS INDUSTRY

PRIVATE AND STATE

GOOD PROGRESS INDICATED

(By Telegraph—Press Association.)

NEW PLYMOUTH, Nov. 7,

Appreciation of New* Zealand's war effort and the splendid spirit of cooperative response from all sections of the community was expressed in an address by the Minister of Industries and Commerce (Mr. Sullivan) to the annual conference of the Associated Chambers of Commerce.

He referred also to the development in New Zealand of the munitions industry and the wonderful way in which men and women workers had increased the small arms and ammunition output. "Very few people in New Zealand have any idea of the extent of the work being done in the production of munitions in this country," said the Minister. "For obvious reasons it is not possible to go into details, to refer to localities, or to indicate quantities, but a very great amount of work is being done and done well. "For instance, a new explosive filling factory has been established. Production of small arms, ammunition for rifles, machine-guns, and aeroplanes has been increased to a tremendous extent. This has necessitated new plant and machinery, much of which had to be made here. Bren gun carriers, light tanks with a high rate of speed, are being made, and the first completed unit has already had its official test. This is a particularly big job. There is at.least £20,000 worth of munitions^machinery being made for the production of munitions.

"High-explosive bombs, trench mortars, hand gyefiad'e's, steel helmets, and innumerable items. required by the Army, Navy, and Air Force are being made in large quantities by private firms, as well as by the Government itself."