DANGER FACING DOMINION

Southland Times, Issue 24890, 2 November 1942, Page 4

DANGER FACING DOMINION

American Fleet The Only Screen

(P.A.) CHRISTCHURCH, Nov. 1. The danger facing New Zealand today had never , been greater since the outbreak of war, declared the Minister of Supply and Munitions, the Hon. D. G. Sullivan, in an address today to employees of a Christchurch firm engaged in producing munitions and essential agricultural machinery. _ The American and Japanese navies, he said, were at present locked in deadly combat. The American _ Navy formed the only screen against a possible Japanese invasion.

New Zealanders, therefore, had to be ready for any danger that came oi | any intensification of the crisis. It was necessary at the present time tor everyone in New Zealand to work to | his utmost capacity. “I know,” said Mr Sullivan, that workers in this factory are becoming weary from mental and physical fatigue as a result of the monotony of the job, but I want you to realize that this work is necessary to prevent invasion. You are doing a great service to your country, and until this present crisis is over I ask you to overlook your weariness. New Zealand had done a great job in the production of munitions, said Mr Sullivan, who announced that the War Cabinet had told the Army that New Zealand could produce as many millions of hand grenades as were wanted. They were fast overtaking the urgent requirements of ammunition, mortars and other weapons for local defence. They were now in a position to export their production of small arms ammunition, grenades and a large range of engineering stores required, by the forces in the field. The stores included hydraulic jacks, instrument stands, insulators, concrete mixers, pumps and fire engines. They were also exporting considerable, quantities of tinned emergency rations, meat ana vegetables, sausages, biscuits, chocolates and oatmeal.