MUNITIONS AND SUPPLIES REPORT.

Gisborne Times, Volume XLVII, Issue 4275, 26 June 1916, Page 5

MUNITIONS AND SUPPLIES REPORT.

MANUFACTURE OF. SHELL-BOD lES ABANDONED IN NEW ZEALAND.

HEAVIER REQUIREMENTS Of KHAKI THIS YEAR.

Bv Telegraph—Special Correspondent, WELLINGTON, June 23. f The report- of the Department <n Munitions and Supplies, prepared -y the Hon. A. Myers, shows that orders for woollen goods to the vav o of £554.295 for delivery tlirougnouu 1916 were pla-ced in the Dominion. It is estimated that £1,048,Q00 vv-A be expended to secure military supplies for 1916. This sum is made up as follows: £ Uniform clothing and woollen goods _ ... 004.rv-;-Otlier stores, such as boots. hardware, leather goods. _ __ _ furniture, etc. ... 045,.-w Supplies, such as food and forage , . Drugs for medical, dentai, __ and veterinary services... 2o.cvvj Total £1,548,000

To give an idea of the enormot-s quantity of khaki required for 193 b for uniforms, overcoats, working shirts and pantaloons, the report states that the total lengt-n oi cu>L> ao-erregates about 530 miles. _ It 13 estimated that between SO and 90 per cent, of the combined output ot too Xew Zealand woollen mills will Oe absorbed by the production oi gooes for military purposes during t: e mouths from January to August t-ias year. Owing to gratuitous services bv members of the supply boards and others, the Purchase Office has been conducted at- the strikingly low cosu of 0.0005 per cent, or value oi business transacted since its inception, which amounts in value to approximately £2.000.000. and represents handling about 50,000,000 articles. In regard to the question of manufacture of munitions, the report details the steps taken to ascertain whether shells could be manufactured m the Dominion. By the end oi ias--January a few IS-pounder shell-bodies had been completed, whilst others were in various stages of manufacture. The report on the matter was placed before Cabinet for the purpose of enabling it- to decide on whether A is advisable to carry on t.ie ma Picture of munitions in New Zealand-. After consideration tlie Government! decided to take no further action rc-o-arding shell manufacture in v Ji ° meanwhile, as they were ot opinion that under the circumstances New Zealand could be of greater service by directing all ber energies towards carrying on of industries, as freezing works, dairying, etc., wruea are - so'essential for the maintem. ..oi. of food supplies to the troops. . The question of munition workers is also dealt with, and it is report'd: in this connection that offers received from skilled mechanics and unskilled workers throughout the Dominion to assist in munition work have •'-con recorded in the department.