MUNITIONS MANUFACTURE

Waikato Times, Volume 106, Issue 22691, 20 August 1945, Page 4

MUNITIONS MANUFACTURE

FUTURE OF HILLCREST WORKS SKELETON STAFF OPERATING Production at the Hillcrest munitions factory of the Colonial Ammunition Company is to continue on a very reduced basis, according to advice received this morning. No definite statement has yet been made as to the factory Buildings but it is stated that they will be required for the production of small arms ammunition. While at the peak of its operations at Hillcrest, the company employed a staff of over 1000 and special hostels had to be built in Peachgrove Road to accommodate the workers. Reductions in staff were made as the war situation improved and now only a skeleton staff is operating the plant. Formerly approximately 70 Army personnel were stationed at the works, either as guards or for the purpose of testing ammunition, but practically no Army personnel have been stationed there for a year. It has been suggested that part of the factory could be made to play an important part in rehabilitation, either as a trade-training centre or a transit camp. Already one of the buildings is being used by the Ruakura Animal Research Station as a temporary laboratory. The former Army hutments, situated near the works, would probably be very suitable for use in a transit camp. It is understood that a Ministerial statement about the future of the works will be made in the near future.

CHANCE TO RETURN HOME

GIRL WORKERS IN WELLINGTON WELLINGTON, Monday Girls manpowered to Wellington for munition making are being given the opportunity to return to their home towns, now that this form of manufacture has been ordered to cease. It has been found that only one-third wish to go back home as yet. The Minister of Supply and Munitions, Mr Sullivan, announced on Victory Day that orders had been given for munitions manufacture to stop. When the Ford motor works at Lower Hutt opened on Friday, after the two days’ holiday, the Petone and Lower Hutt manpower officer and his staff interviewed the girls employed there to ascertain how many of them whose homes were not in Wellington desired to return home. The Controller of Manpower, Mr H. L. Bockett, stated that all of the girls were informed that if they desired to return to their home towns they could, but they were invited to volunteer to remain in Wellington for other essential work. Of the 200 girls interviewed,- said Mr Bockett, 50 elected to return to their home towns. It was estimated that 50 of the remaining 150 Bad their homes in the Wellington district, and 100 had homes in other parts of New Zealand. The 150, who volunteered for other essential work in Wellington and the Hutt Valley, were given the opportunity of going to woollen mills, clothing factories, tobacco factories, biscuit manufacturing and hospital work, and to a few other essential industries.