LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2498, 26 June 1915, Page 7

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

AMMUNITION AND WORKERS. Sir,—Tho question of making ammunition in New Zealand lias been discussed latply, but tho opinion seems to bo that wo cannot do much in thai lino here, but we have plonty of willing workers. It has occurred to me, Sir, that the time has arrived for tho Government to renew its offer to send workers Home for the ammunition factories. Tho workers should be recruited from the machine and engineering _ shops, men who have offered their services for the front, but have been turned down through some slight defect, and the National Reserve. There are thousands of good men who are anxious to help win this great war, but are over the age to go to tho front, who would work to the last ounce if given the opportunity. The Home Government, we were informed, turned down the first offer owing to the difficulty of transport. I think our Government could easily arrange that. There are vessels constantly going Home with ample passenger accommodation. To prevent anyone having a free trip at the public expense, every worker dispatched would have to deposit liis fare, which would be refunded at the end of his contract. I know we have not a large number of skilled mechanics in this country, but all workers in the ammunition factories need not necessarily be skilled workers. The crisis is so great and the supply of an unlimited quantity of ammunition so vital, Mr. Editor, that I that we should sendi Home what workers ive can best spare.—l am, etc., NATIONAL RESERVE.