MAKING AMMUNITION

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2494, 22 June 1915, Page 9

MAKING AMMUNITION

NO MATERIAL IN NEW ZEALAND. A short discussion as to the possibility of Now Zealand assisting in the manur facture of ammunition took place at tho meeting of the Wellington Industrial Association last night. The secretary reported that he had communicated with Mr. W. Cable, the ■well-known iron foundry authority, about tho matter, and Mr. Cable had suggested that it would be well if iron foundries were to receive from the Government samples of shells and material used, in order that they might advise if ammunition could bo made in the Dominion. Mr. J. B. Laurenson, president of the Canterbury Association, said that so far as New Zealand was concerned, until they wore in a position to turn out their own iron and steel, it would bo impossible for them to attempt to turn out ammunition. He thought it would be unreasonable of them to put the Government to the trouble of sending out drawings and samples, for the Government probably knew of their resources. They had not got in New Zealand either the material or the necessary number of lathes. He pointed out that the Harvester Company, of Canada, had got an order, and wero going to turn out 2000 shells a -week. In New Zealand they would not turn out twenty a week. Ho had made some inquiries before coming to that conclusion. Mr. T. Ballinger said that while in Auckland last week he met the Auckland president, and was told that a conference had been held there to discuss the question, and tho conclusion arrived at was that New Zealand could do nothing in tho matter. The president (Mr. C. B. Norwood): "It would seem there is littlo use of us proceeding with the question. Without material it is quite impossible to de anything of value for the country, or Homo authorities."