AN ARSENAL

Waikato Times, Volume 127, Issue 21159, 8 July 1940, Page 8

AN ARSENAL

CONVERSION OF AUSTRALIA NEW ZEALAND HELP SKILLED MEN SUPPLIED /United Press Assn.—Elec. Tel. Copyright) SYDNEY, July 7 According to the Sunday Sun, the New Zealand Minister of Supply, the Hon. D. G. Sullivan, has offered to discuss with the Commonwealth Director-General of Munitions, Mr Essington Lewis, a proposal under which New Zealand would make available skilled men to assist Australia’s conversion into an “arsenal” for the defence of the Dominion and the Commonwealth. Mr Sullivan said New Zealand had available a large number of skilled men in railway workshops. These men could be spared for such a task, either in the United Kingdom or Australia. “As New Zealand is practically dependent upon Australia for munitions and other equipment, and as there is every reason why there should be complete co-ordination of effort, I am confident Australia will not let us down,” said Mr Sullivan. The Prime Minister, Mr R. G. Menzies, last night said he would discuss the proposal with Mr Lewis as soon as possible. Discussions and Inspections Mr Sullivan, who is staying at the Hotel Australia, Sydney, says he has not been able to fix a date for his return to New Zealand. He is continuing discussions with the Commonwealth Government and also intends to inspect steelworks and subsidiary industries at Newcastle. Mr Sullivan issued statements to the Sydney press outlining the New Zealand Government’s plan for establishing 11 linen flax processing ! plants for the South Island, also a statement on New Zealand’s reasons for import control. “I hope to get completed manufactured materials from Australia, but I do not appear to be getting them to the extent I had hoped,” the Minister said before leaving Melbourne. “I am getting material that will have to be completed in New Zealand, which will have to get on its toes. To whatever extent Australia can help, she is helping.” Defence of Australia Speaking at the annual dinner of the Commercial Travellers’ Club at Sydney, the Prime Minister, Mr R. G. Menzies, advised his hearers to lose no sleep about the likelihood of red tape standing between them and the i things necessary for victory. He i added that Australia was seeking to I make herself self-contained and was j working out the problem of defend- ! ing herself on her own shores. ! The Prime Minister said that toi day there were 16,000 employed in i the production of munitions in Australia, and by the middle of next year there would be 80,000, in addition to 70,000 producing those things without which munitions could not be made. Mr Menzies urged critics of the Government to remain silent whatever they thought, and trust Ministers to do the job in front of them thoroughly and well. A Melancholy Task Mr Menzies then referred to what he described as the melancholy task |of taking over the French Fleet. He declared that it was against reason 1 that the British Fleet should stand idly by and allow the French ships to pass into the hands of the enemy. The Leader of the Federal Opposition, Mr J. Curtin, yesterday asked the Prime Minister, Mr R. G. Menzies, to call a secret session of the Commonwealth Parliament. Mr Menzies has not commented upon the request. Assistance From Workers The Labour conference in Melbourne adopted the plan for the formation of a union panel to assist the Government in industrial matters concerning the war. This means that all the Federal unions with members engaged in defence industries will grant full co-operation in the national war effort. Several amendments, one aiming at assurances from the Government before co-operation is granted and another demanding a working class Government, were overwhelmingly rejected. As a result of the decision the Government will be forewarned of any disabilities likely to prevent continuity of production.