IMPORTANCE OF MUNITIONS SUPPLY.

Taranaki Daily News, 5 June 1916, Page 4

IMPORTANCE OF MUNITIONS SUPPLY.

The recent urgent appeal by the Minister of Munitions to the workers to forego taking a holiday at Whitsuntide recalls the strong appeal to the same men in December last, when he said: "In this war the footsteps of the Allied forces have iheen dogged by the mocking spectre of 'too late,' and unless we quicken our movements damnation will fall on the sacred cause for which so much gallant blood has flowed, and I beg employers and workmen not to hare 'too late' inscribed upon the portals of their workshop at any rate, and that is my appeal." In view of the fact that the holidays at Easter entailed the IO6S of a week's output, it is evident Mr. Lloyd George is doubly anxious at the present time that there shall not only be no cessation of work in the gun and shell factories, but that the utmost energy shall be used at this critical phase of the struggle, which may prove to be the turning point of the war, for unless the workers now put forth their beat efforts the gravest consequences may ensue. We have only to note what the Austrians are doing in their offensive against the Italians in order to be convinced that it is the preponderanc of heavy guns and high explosive shells that are the dominant factors in defeating the enemy. In May, 1915, Britain was only producing 2500 high explosive and 13,000 shrapnel shells, as compared with the German output of 250,000 shells, most of which were of the high-explosive class', but by Sepemtber the British output had so largely increased that the expenditure in the offensive of that time was replaced in a month, while three months later it was stated by the Minister that the same number of shells could be replaced in a week. That is a splendid record, but the need at the present time for a greater output than ever is due to the large increase in the size of the Army, and the taking over of a far more extended front in order to release the French forces so as to enable them to resist the Germans at Verdun. In addition to that there is the forthcoming combined offensive to prepare for, a task that will tax the -powers of the workers most severely, and puts out of all question a moment's cessation, otherwise disaster instead of success may result. How great is responsibility on the workers can he gleaned from a pronouncement made some months ago by a Labor member, Mr. Hodge, who said that munition workers who did not do their utmost were guilty of murder. The workers in France have set a noble example in devotion to the national cause—no strikes, no clamor for increased wages, but each and all doing their utmost, and that is what is required of the British "workers, instead of losing irrecoverable time spent in holidays. It is essential that not only shall the Allies keep pace with the German output, but exceed it as much as possible, even though the forces have grown to ten times the size they were. It is essentially a war of guns, and the industrial army which is furnishing these guns and the ammunition therefor is bearing as great a part in the war itself as the men in the firing line. The Minister has made his appeal, and it is for the men to respond. They have done so i,n the past, and they must surely recognise that the crisis at present, is too serious to ignore. The''' time for relaxation is not now, but the greater efforts they put forth the sooner will they be able to enjoy a well-earned rest, the pleasure of which will lie enhanced hy the knowledge of the sacrifices made in the performance of a ,national duty.