WAR PRODUCTION

Evening Post, Volume CXXXIV, Issue 108, 3 November 1942, Page 3

WAR PRODUCTION

NEW ZEALAND OUTPUT

THE EVIDENCE OF FIGURES

(P.A.) CHRISTCHURCH, This Day

The phenomenal output of goods for war purposes in New Zealand was revealed today by the Minister of Supply (Mr. Sullivan) in opening the annual conference of the New Zealand Manufacturers' Federation. "Our clothing factories have worked splendidly, and their output is commendable," he said. This will be seen from the ■following:— Deliveries to date: Battle-dress blouses 494,438, . battle-dress trousers 504,721; uniform jackets, 332,789; uniform trousers, 389,700-; khaki -shorts, 120,270; greatcoats, 304,155; field service caps. 461,483. In addition to the 2,000,000 garments there could be added a huge total of shirts, singlets, and other items of apparel. The woollen mills had turned out to date:—Blankets, 453,837 pairs; flannel shirting, 2,312,146 yards; socks and stockings, 2,149,742 pairs. Included in the deliveries last month were 13,800 blankets, 138,128 yards of shirting, and 56,850 pairs of socks and stockings.

The footwear factories had to date turned out nearly 1,500,000 pairs. "One job about which very little is known is the production of insulators," said Mr. Sullivan. "New Zealand is the only country in the eastern group able to supply these, and kilns have been erected to cope with the •greatly intensified demand. Last year we produced nearly 750,000 insulators, and the present demands are 300 to 400 per cent, greater." The manufacture of barbed wire for the forces approximated 500 tons a month. Thousands of tons of nails were also being turned out for shipanent.

A contract had been undertaken for "the production of thousands of radio transceivers (combined transmitter and receiver) for use by the New Zealand and other forces.! The production cost was estimated at between £3,000,000 and £4,000,000, and a 400 per cent, increase on peace-time production was required. .--■"■"■''... Already 6500 telegraph ladders and multi-airlin(? extension- ladders ' had been shipped: Four-hundred concrete mixers, together with engines, were required and production was up to schedule. Close on-400 hydraulic jacks, with capacities from 7-i tons to 30 tons, had been delivered. The supply of 5,000,000 square feet of insulating board —an overseas demand —was in hand.

"Our naval building programme gives cause for' satisfaction," he said. "There have been delays in procuring material but,work is proceeding apace in the building of Fairmiles for overseas The time taken approximates 40,000 man hours; in New Zealand-the vessels so far launched have taken 35,000 man hours." Eighteen naval vessels , had either been put into commission or were under construction.

Important facts given by the Minister included small arms ammunition. The annual production" ,was 60,000,000 rounds, and the 1943 production would, be 100,000,00*0 (1939 production was 12,000,000 rounds). Of jellies 5000 cases had been ■si-Tipped. Of pork sausages 524,160 21b calls had been shipped to the United Kingdom. Over 1,750,000 slabs of eating chocolate had been produced in three months. Of pickles 1,293,000 jars had been shipped. Of oatmeal an increase of 150 per cent, was wanted, requiring 344,000 401b tins. For the soldiers' emergency ration in 1941 3,500,000 lib special meat and vegetable rations were prepared and this year" 9,500,000 were required. Next year it would be 12,700,000. : ' The army biscuits 1941 production was 344,686 cases, the 1942 production 1.023.000 cases, and 1943 required 1 ,'404,000 cases. The production of mortar bombs and hand grenades could be measured in terms of 1,000,000 and more. All New Zealand's requirements of universal carriers had been produced and manufacturers were . now, engaged in the production of supplies for overseas. The manufacture of components lor the Sten gun were well under way, as was the conversion of rifles to tho Charlton gun principle. Nearly 750 fire trailer pumps had been produced.