MUNITIONS OUTPUT

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2690, 9 February 1916, Page 6

MUNITIONS OUTPUT

IN ENGLAND, FRANCE, AND AMERICA N.Z. TOURIST'S IMPRESSIONS Mr. J. B. Clarkson, the managing director of the firm of Messrs. J. B. Clarkson and Co.. Ltd., has.-just returned from a visit to Europe and America. He arrived at Auckland— which port be left in July of last year — by the Niagara 011 Monday, and reached Wellington yesterday. In bis extensive itinerary Mr. Clarkson visited the industrial nerve-centres cf England, France, and America, and while he was a witness to the colossal concentration on the manufacture of munitions 110 had access to special factories which enabled him to form judgments of some value regarding war issues, "I stayed in England for three months," said Mr. Clarkson to a roporter last night, ''and spent the weekends motor travelling, covering a distance of 3500 miles "111 England, Scotland; and Wales. I visited the New Zealand Hospital at Walton-on-Thames on two occasions, and I was very pleased to see the manner in which the New Zealand soldiers are being looked after. The hospital is ideally situate,d, and I saw the addition; —which, by the way, v.-as built at a phenomenally rapid (speed—nearing completion. The building realises all tho latest ideas in hospital science, and is a credit to the Government and the contractors. All the wounded or sick New Zealanders K'horn I met in the hospital and elsewhere in England were more than satisfled with the treatment they, had received. The arrangements made-in this connection at the Hizli Commissioner's office appeared to be efficient in every sense." French Sentiment. 1 Mr. Clarkson, wile was in France the end of 1914, paid another visit to that country recently, and was impressed by tho firm conviction of tho French people that victory would attend tho arms of the Allies. The French A.rmy was being lscpt up to its fighting strength,. and at the same time the munition factories were working d!ay and night. The labour was to a very considerable extent being provided by the French colonies, and consisted in a largo measure of Algerians. "There aro hundreds of thousands of Algerians in France now," said Mr. Clarkson. ','lt is estimated that there will 60011 bo an Algerian army of three millions ill the field, which will bring the total Frenoli army to a strength of seven millions in tho spring. Few people seem to realise that France lias these enormous reserves to draw upon. England's Part "England to-day is a huge arsenal, and she will have in tho spring an army of at least four millions ready for service. She will further have equipped either from her own factories or from America six million Russian troops. These will be in addition to the troops Russia, will be able to make provision for herself. One may express .wonder how England is able to do all this.- For one thing sho is utilising woman labour. I have visited munition factories. whero practically only woman labour is employed in the manufacture of shells. I have seen them engaged at 18-pound shells, and showing as much aptitud'o for the work as men. There is, of course, nn extensivo plant, but they are doing all the work necessary, to complete the shells. I saw a munition and powder factory covering 200 acres which the Government have established, and t know of a factory in England oil which a sum of a million and a- half -has been spent in bricks and mortar since the outbreak of war. In this factory up to six months ago no gun had ever been made, but to-day they are turning out a hundred' machine guns per week,. in addition to carrying on other work. The factories in England are making munitions to-day as quickly as the War Office can take delivery. The French Government have just placed an order in America for 10,000 guns of larger calibre than the largest guns used by Germany in the siege of Liege, and the British Government, .in addition to their other contracts, have placed another order for 10,000 machineguns, also in tho United States. - It is estimated that in April .or . May, when they begin -their big drive in tho West, .the Allies will have enough ammunition to drop one 'shelT'into every 30 feet of opposing territory every 30 seconds for 3D days and 30' nights, and still have a reserve, this bombard-' ment extending over the whole 450 of front. Zeppelin Raids. "There have been several successful Zeppelin raids in England, but there have been scores of -unsuccessful, attempts. England is very well policed at the present time, but, of course, these raids must on occasion be successful. When it comes, however, to. a question of fighting in the air England ifnd France, I am convinced, • are ahead of the enemy s in skill and resource. In England, besides the large, number of specialised aeroplane factories, I am personally acquainted with three largo motor factories which are turning out aeroplanes, «nd it is quite possible that, on the AVestern front there will be .no fewer -than 3000 aeroplanes engaged in the struggle. The damage which has been caused by tho Zepgelin raids in London has been infinitesimal when the possibilities are contemplated. I have been at' tho scene of some of these raids, and the damage from a military point of view was nil. There has been also a comparatively small loss of life and damage to property. Certainly if a .Zeppelin had been brought down it would have done ten times the damage caused by the bombs." Commercial Aspects, Turning to other aspects of commercial life in England, Mr. Clarkson said that the manufacturer was still turning out a certain amount of goods for export, although, of course, orders could not bo completely filled. The 'manufacturer was determined to look after his export business, especially with the ovcreeas Dominions, as he realised it was necessary to provide bomb freights for tho boats which returned with colonial produce. To-day, owing to tho extraordinary dearth of shipping space, it was almost impossible to get any freight for New Zealand or Australia, and rates wore three times as high as they were last October. With regard to the motor industry, the British manufacturer woul. be in a far better position to look after the requirements of the overseas Dominions • than lie had in before. The iii>-to-date machinery installed for munitions would answer the purpose of motor ■manufacture equally well. After the war England would have three tariffs in Mr. Clarkson's opinion—a small protective tariff, a tariff against foreign countries, and a tariff against tho present enemy countries. England would devise some means of making the United States pay for tho protection which her commerce was at present receiving. Wo were giving them huge ordors for munitions and paying them practically their own price, and wo would have to recovor these profits. America Visited. In America Mr. Clarkson visited New York, Chicago, Detroit, Buffalo, Cloveland San Francisco, Toroi.to, Montreal', Seattlo, and Vancouver. ' Canada, lie said, while providing a large expeditionary force, was supplying munitions to I the British Government as>ell. .This

had caused a. great revival of business, especially in the east. Incidentally, Mr. Clarkson said lie would like to see t'lio workshops throughout. New Zealand! emulating the Canadian example and supplying munitions and equipment nt ieast lor her own forces. 'While travelling in the United States, Mr. Clarkson mot a contractor of Seattle, who had just received from Europe an order for twelve million feet of timber for rillo stocks. Russian munitions were being supplied.from the States, audi 110 fewer than seven thousand cartloads of munitions arrived at Seattle for shipment towards the end of last year. Shipping at Seattle was largely demoralised by tlie huge amount of freights offering for Vladivostok,- and this was being handled to a very largo extent by Japanese boats. The United States, be said, was altogether with the Allies in the war. The only discordant note canio from: the "Yellow Press," but as far as the holding aloof from an active part in the struggle was concerned this was entirely in accordance with what was j deitired by the British Government.