WAR MATERIALS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVIII, Issue 23902, 28 February 1941, Page 8

WAR MATERIALS

TANKS AND MORTARS DOMINION PRODUCTION DOUBLE SHIFTS AND OVERTIME [by TKLKCKAPH I'ItKSS association] CHKISTCHURCH, Thursday Double shifts in some departments and overtime in others are being worked at the Addington and Hillside railway workshops to quicken the rate of progress on the manufacture of munitions and armaments to further the Dominion's war effort, according to the .Minister of Bailways, the Hon. K. Semple. "The vast amount of detail work involved in the manufacture of large stocks of munitions and armaments cannot be fully realised by the average citizen," said Mr. Semple. "The railway workshops employees at Addington and Hillside arc working overtime and in some cases double shifts to speed up production of all the varied arms and other defensive requirements tor the conduct of the war. The men have their hearts in their jobs and progress is the order all along the line. Conversion of Tractors "At Addington," continued Mr. Semple, "conversion of caterpillar tractors into armoured tanks is proceeding satisfactorily. The bodies have been completed and before the end of April it is hoped to have these fullv equipped with their turrets, gun-carriers, fuel tanks and other essential fittings. "There is also pronounced activity at Addington in completing various types of linen flax machines. Eleven deseeders, eight tow shakers, seven scutchers and 22 hay carts have boon delivered and others are in a welladvanced state. Trained men from Addington are busy at various flax fibre factories erecting, overhauling and otherwise attending to the equipment of these now works, which have given birth to a new and important industry. Skilful Work Required

"The principal war effort of the Hillside tradesmen is centred for tho moment on the manufacture of threeinch mortars and in performing machine work in connection with others which will he completed by a private firm. The making of these mortars involves a considerable amount of skill in the production and. assembly of a score or more intricate minor parts.

"Both these well-equipped railway workshops in the South Island," said the Minister, "while carrying out the important regular work of the department, are also busily employed in completing a variety of work for various firms handling a large amount of the munitions prograinme."