MINISTER APPRECIATIVE

Evening Star, Issue 23728, 8 November 1940, Page 7

MINISTER APPRECIATIVE

— HEW ZEALAND’S WAR EFFORT SPURT IN MUNITIONS MAKING ■ [Per United Press Association.] NEW PLYMOUTH, November 7. Appreciation of New Zealand’s war effort and of 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, at the conference of the Associated Chambers of Commerce to-day, following a welcome by the president, Mr W. A. MacGibbon. Mr Mac Gibbon emphasised that, while retaining the privilege of criticism of the Government, the chambers’ desire was to be constructive and helpful and to co-operate to the fullest extent. They looked to the Government to give some guidance in carrying on their work. The Minister, in his reply, said ho felt that in the last few years there had been a change in the attitude of the business community to the Government as constituted to-day, and a more ready spirit to co-operate that made the Government more sensible of any criticism against its propasals. The Government could offer them nothing •at present in the way of business relief from taxation and restriction, because all the energies of the country had been bent to the task of achieving victory. With hie knowledge of the workers ampins meetings with them, Mr Sullivan said, in spite of some minor signs that they or some of thorn were not doing all they might in the great effort of the country, the workers, in the main, were just as concerned and loyal as other sections of the community. He referred also to the development in Ncw Zealand of the munitions industry and to 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 tho 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, hut a very great amount of work is being done and done well. For instance, a new explosive filling factory has been established, and tho production of small arras ammunition for rifles, machine guns, and aeroplanes has been increased to a tremendous extent.” This had necessitated new plant and machinery etc., the Minister said, much of which had to be made here. Bren gun carriers and light tanks with a high rate of speed were being made, and the first completed unit had already had its official test. This was a particularly big job, and there was at least £20,000 worth of munitions machinery being made for the production of munitions, high-explo-sive bombs, trench mortars, hand / grenades, asteel helmets, and the innumerable items required bv the Army, the Navy, and the Air Force were being made in large quantities by private firms as well as by the Government itself.