THE WAR EFFORT

Otago Daily Times, Issue 24450, 8 November 1940, Page 10

THE WAR EFFORT

RESPONSE OF THE DOMINION UNIVERSAL CO-OPERATION INCREASED MUNITIONS OUTPUT cPer United Press Association) NEW PLYMOUTH, Nov. 7. Appreciation of New Zealand's war effort and the splendid spirit of cooperative response from all sections of the community were expressed in an address by the Minister of Industries and Commerce, Mr D. G. Sullivan at the conference of the Associated Chambers of Commerce to-day, following a welcome by the president Mr W A. Mac Gibbon. Mr Mac Gibbon emphasised that, while retaining the privilege of criticism of the Government, the chambers desire was to be constructive and help ful and to co-operate to the fullest extent. They looked to the Government to give some guidance in carrying on their work. Spirit of Helpfulness The Minister, in his reply, said ne felt that in the last few years there had been a change in the attitude of the business community to the Government as constituted to-day. and a more ready spirit to co-operate thai made the Government more sensible of any criticism against its proposals The Government could offer them nothing at present in the way of business relief from taxation and restriction, because .all the energies of the country had been bent to the task of achieving victory. With his knowledge of the workers and his meetings with them. Mr Sullivan said, in spite of some minor signs that they or some of them were not doing all they might in the great effort of the country, the workers, in the main, were just as concerned and loyal as other sections of the community He referred also to the development in New Zealand of the munitions industry and t 0 the wonderful way in which men and women workers had increased the small arms and ammunition output. Munitions Industry "Very few people in New Zealand have any idea of the extent of the work being done in the production of munitions in this country," said the Minister. "For obvious reasons, it is not possible to co into details. U refer to localities, or to indicate quantities; but a very great amount of work is being done and done well For instance, a new explosive filling factory has been established, and the production of small arms ammunition for rifles, machine guns and aeroplanes has been increased to a tremendous extent." * This had necessitated new plant and machinery, ' etc., the Minister said, much of which had to be made here. Bren gun carriers and light-tanks, witn a high rate of speed were being made and the first completed unit had already had its official test. This was a particularly big job, and there was at least £26,000 worth of munitions machinery being made for the production of munitions, high-explosive bombs, trench mortars, hand grenaqes, steel helmets and the innumerable items required by the army, .the navy and the Air Force were being made in large quantities by private firms as well as by the Government itself.