ALLEGED SHORTAGE OF MUNITIONS

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2466, 20 May 1915, Page 5

ALLEGED SHORTAGE OF MUNITIONS

"AN UNPALATABLE MESSAGE" TACTICS OF TRADE UNIONISTS London, May 18. The "Times" Glasgow correspondent says"l have a very unpalatable message to give the public regarding the productions of munitions of war iii the North. It is onl.v after hesitation, and after consultation with responsible persons, that 1 have decided to write. If there was any prosncct n_f improvement I would not speak; but the strong force of public opinion is needed. The North Country is living in a fool's parsdisc, and I believe the Government is, too. "The chief cause of the position is the attitude of certain sections of organised Labour. The impressions prevails that the trades unions have relaxed their rules limiting work, on the urgent appeal of the Government, and are doing (heir best, to deliver the goods. This is correct in some cases; in other cases the rules havo not been relaxed, and the men are working at far below their canaeity, and often there is deliberate manipulation bv the pieceworkers to 'drag out,' by taking double tho time needed, although the.v_ arc earning double or triple the ordinary pay. The men are not only idling their own time, but prevent others from working. The engineers are the worst. "The effects a re being most felt in the ammunition shops, where an increased output, is most urgent. Tn many of 1 hp shoos I have seen the machines idle, 11>e men standing by their sides. Tf a hand was laid on a machine, nil the engineers would come out. Tt is obvious iliat if Ibese conditions extend the factories Avill be useless. Tt is like ini a suffocating gas manufactured at Home."—("Times" and Sydney "Sun" Services.) ' ENORMOUS ORDER FOR RIFLES AI'STR VTJAV TO T\KF PR*ROE OF AN ALLY'S CONTRACT. Melbourne, May If). Senator I'earcc (Federal Defends Minister) announced that Mr. AVright, manager of I he Commonwealth Small Al'iilb Fiiptor.Y. hrlt) vcnifjiipt), nml hid .aooaoted an a (far tp take charee of rifle

works for an ally of Britain, with whom ait enormous order for rifles had been placed. Arrangements were being made to appoint a successor to Mr; Wright.

NEW ZEALAND'S OFFER OF WORKERS REPLY FROM THE IMPERIAL GOVERNMENT. London, May 18. Mr. Lewis Harcourt, Secretary of State for the Colonies, speaking in the House of Commons, said tlie Government heartily apnreciated the offer of New Zealand mechanics to assist in tho manufacture of munitions of war, but, in view of tho dis'ance, the uncertainty regarding numbers, difficulties in the way of ascertaining the exact degree of the men's skill, it was impossible to arraneo for their transport to Britain. No doubt, if qualified workers in the highly-skilled classes of engineering and shipyard labour came to England, and were prewired to accent the British standard of wages, tliev would Teadily be placed in employment in armament works. The Minister of Defence (the Hon, James Allen) has issued the following circular to those men who hav" offered their names as willing to go Home to take up the work stated: — "With i-eferei'ce to vour cnmmnn'ction on the snhiect, of munition workers for Great Britain. I hav to inform vou that, the following telegram has been received from the Imperial Rover,,, mcnt, in reply to the offer of +he New Zealand Government, to send Home n number of skilled mechanics to assist in the manufacture of munitions of war; 'The matter has been carefullv considered by the ' Munitions of War Committee, who annreeiate highly the offer, Iml feci that questions of transport, distance, andlectin!? workmen to lie sent malre circumstances make ft difficult to accept the offer. Tlis Majesty's Government are most grateful for the spirit which dictated it.' T : nder these circumstances, whil.it thanking all those who so willingly offered their services, the New Zealand Government entake no further action in the matter.". KING VISITS THE CLYDE YARDS. London, May 18. Til:- Kins has visitej tlio Clyda aliipjarda.