MUNITIONS SUPPLY PLANS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVIII, Issue 23966, 16 May 1941, Page 8

MUNITIONS SUPPLY PLANS

It is announced from Wellington that the Minister of National Service, Mr. H<!hipie, is shortly to visit Australia "in connection with the supply of munitions." There is, of course, no secret about the fact that the Australian munitions industry during the last few years has made phenomena! strides and it is natural and desirable that there should be co-ordination of effort between the Commonwealth and the Dominion in the provision of those weapons which can be produced locally for their joint defensive needs. This has long been recognised on both sides of the Tasman. Since the outbreak of war the New Zealand Minister of Supply, Mr. Sullivan, has visited Australia to discuss the position, while a return visit was paid earlier this year by the Assistant Minister of Commerce from Canberra, Mr. C. L. Anthony. In addition, the chiefs of staff of the Dominion's

throe fighting services constituted a mission to Australia only a few months ago. All this has been gladly accepted as evidence of mutual effort and it is to be hoped that Mr. Semple's visit will result in further progress. But it is pertinent to recall that early last month the Prime Minister, Mr. Eraser, announced that an agreement had been reached between the New Zealand and Australian Governments for the establishment of a permanent consultative committee to deal with questions of supply and munitions. Meetings were to be held at regular intervals in both countries. There would be greater confidence in the possible outcome of Mr. Semple's mission if an assurance could be given that the promised committee is functioning and is aiming at a continuity of policy as a positive basis for periodic Ministerial discussions.