NEW ZEALAND INDUSTRY

Hawera Star, Volume LI, 22 June 1931, Page 7

NEW ZEALAND INDUSTRY

TRIBUTE OF NATIONAL RIFLE ASSOCIATION. COLON LAE A AIM UNIT! ON. Id lias been said that we in New Zealand have no nationgal consciousness; that, indeed, we have an inferiority complex regarding our own capabilities and the goods that this country can produce. This notwithstanding the fact that we make goods here the quality and style of which are not duplicated in any other country in the world. New Zealand rugs, for instance, are coveted by Americans and bought by them when they happen to be passing through this country. In sharp contrast to the reputed attitude of the average New Zealandei to New Zealand-made goods is thespontaneous tribute of the National Rifle Association made to the Colonial Ammunition Company, Ltd. The secretary writes: “With reference to the ammunition supplied to my association T have mucli pleasure in submitting the following resolution which was passed unanimously at the annual general meeting: ‘That this annynl general meeting of riflemen, hold at Trcntham. heartily congratulates the Colonial Ammunition Company on the excellence of the ammunition supplied for the 1.931 meeting.' ” He says elsewhere: “The scores obtaned speak volumes for the quality of the ammunition. which has given universal satisfaction. Complaints have been conspicuous by their absence, and the ox- } cellent results obtained have been the subject of very favourable comment by marfvsmen in general.” It- was more than forty years ago, during the Russian wai scare, that ammunition-making first commenced in New Zealand. Primarily, the Colonial Ammunition Company was established to manufacture Martini-Henry, Snider and Lee-Enfield .303 ammunition for the New Zealand Government. Production was at 'its height during the World Avar, when, by dint of working day and night shifts, and with 250 of a stall', the plant was producing nearly 1.250,000 rounds of ammunition each mouth.

The manufacture of shotgun ammunition was commenced at a considerably later date than that of service ammunition, but, it has been a consistent winner of shooting championships for many years.