WOMEN PRAISED

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume 79, 5 February 1944, Page 3

WOMEN PRAISED

bombs and grenades filled MINISTERS VISIT FACTORY “If you have any matches in your possession please let me have them,” said the gate-keeper to members of the War Cabinet on their arrival yesterday at the entrance to a factory in the Wellington district where trench-mortar bombs were being filled with explosive and fitted with fuses ready for use in the field. Smoking requisites and wristlet watches were also left behind before admission was permitted and thick rubber shoes were issued for wear during a tour of the building. These are but some of the precautions all entering the premises are obliged to observe. This factory was one of a group of factories engaged in various phases of munitions manufacture and operated by a company previously producing motor cars. Similar precautions were taken at another factory where hand grenades and bomb fuses were being filled with explosive. In the main factory of the group fuses for shells were being manufactured, the remaining components being manufactured in other parts of the Empire. Here large machines doing fine precision work were seen in operation. Most of the employees were women, and Ministers and other members of the party left with the highest admiration for the practical contribution these women were making to the country’s war effort. In the factories where explosives were being handled elaborate precautions were taken to ensure the safety and health of the workers. The floor was covered with gritless covering and no metal capable of striking a spark is allowed to be taken into the building. New employees are given a book of safety instructions, and the more important of these are read out to the assembled workers at least once a week, for it is recognised that familiarity even with explosives is liable to be followed by contempt for their dangerous properties. All working clothing, including shoes, is supplied. The women receive a fresh change of underwear every day and a new uniform each week. All employees take two showers daily, and they receive a clean bath towel twice a day. The factories have their own laundry, which deals with 15,000 pieces a week. The precautions to ensure cleanliness are to guard against dermatitis. THREE-MILLIONTH GRENADE The official party comprised the Prime Minister, the Hon. P. Fraser, the Minister of Supply and Munitions, the Hon. D. G. Sullivan, the Minister of Defence, the Hon. F. Jones, and the Minister of Armed Forces and War Co-ordination, the Hon. W. Perry. During the luncheon adjournment the three millionth hand grenade produced was presented to the Prime Minister. It was chromium plated and fitted to a base for use as an inkwell and stand. A pen also accompanied the gift. In asking Mr Fraser’s acceptance of the gift, Mr G. H. Jackson, former Director of Production, said that the company whose factories had been inspected had been in active service since the start of the war. It had placed all its resources at the disposal of the country and would do so until victory was achieved. The production of the first million hand grenades took 19 months, the second million 11 months, and the third million six months. The company was now producing them at the rate of 1,000,000 in under five months. Amid laughter, Mr Jaekson suggested that the first document signed by Mr Fraser with the pen presented him should be an appeal to the manpower officer for 200 more girls for work in the factory. Expressing appreciation of the gift, Mr Fraser said he did not know that he could do with the pen as Mr Jackson suggested as he had already made a promise to some girls to make a request to the Minister of Railways that the girls should get home at Easter. Mr Fraser, who referred to the skill and efficiency of the women in the big munitions plants he had visited in Great Britain, said he had seen exactly the same thing* in the factories he had seen that day. In the factory where the grenades were now being filled he was informed that two girls were now operating a machine to do this work, which had been done by hand by 48 men before. He was struck with the efficient way in which the wonderful machines were operated. No one could see a better job of work anywhere. It was a real inspiration to go through the factories and see these people at work. They were as much a part of the war effort as anyone, and War Cabinet appreciated their work, of which the management of the company also spoke in the highest terms. Mr Sullivan, who referred to the great work done by Mr Jackson as Director of Production, also mentioned the consideration shown by the company for the welfare of its employees. He said he was proud of the munitions job.

Mr Jones and Mr Perry also referred to the fine contribution the employees of the company were making to the war effort and commended their efficiency.