SUPPLY OF MUNITIONS

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2508, 8 July 1915, Page 7

SUPPLY OF MUNITIONS

SECEECi" ADVISABLE A'question relating t-o the supply of" munitions ; and small arms was asked of the Minister ot Defence by Mr. G. J. Anderson .in' the House of Representatives yesterday.' Mr. Anderson asked: "(1) Whether the Government havo considered tlio advisableness of establishing a smallarms'factory, in New Zealand; and, if so, what steps have t'hey taken in the matter? (2) Have the Governiiient made, inquiries; as ,to whether there are any . engineering establishments in New Zealand able and willing" to make shell of any kind; and, if so, have thej-taken' any and what steps to have such' establishments converted into ammunition factories?" Mr. Alien replied: '"The issues raised by the honourable meiiibor.have engaged the attention of the Government'. Tlie existence .of a small-armS factory under State control in 'Australia, tlie fact that .the Commonwealth Government has commenced the manufacture of artillery ammunition, to some extent relieves tlie' anxiety of the New Zealand Government, in this connection... Inquiries, have been made as to tlio possibilities ! of the manufacture of shells in the Dominion. Following up > 011 precedent laid down by the Imperial Government,. I might say tbat it is'not'advisable for State reasons during the existence of a state of war for the .Government, to fully dis- j close publicly the exact naturo of the steps taken regarding a small-arm's factory and the manufacture' of ammunition." .. y '-':i -.'.'i