READY TO DO MORE

Waikato Times, Volume 129, Issue 21582, 19 November 1941, Page 6

READY TO DO MORE

DOMINION MANUFACTURERS (Special to Times) Vv AJ.KAK.EI, W ednesday The part played by manufacturers in New Zealand's war effort is discussed in tne report whicn was presented at tne annual conference of the New Zealand Manufacturers Federation at Wairakei last mgnt by the president, Mr C. V. bmitn. “Tne importance of supply in modern warfare has been stressed many times, but i feel that I am justified in mentioning it again in

order to draw attention to tne vast amount of production which is under way in our New Zealand factories lor war purposes,” Mr Smith said. “This production not only covers the normal wartime requirements of munitions, food, doming, etc., but extends into practically every field of production to meet the requirements of modern warfare. “Camps have had to be equipped, troops led and clothed, hospitals, hospital ships, etc., equipped, and in addition to all this our factories have been called upon to produce many articles and commodities for export. Some of these have been for our own troops but the vast majority of this export production has been to the direct order of the War Office in England for the feeding, clothing and servicing of troops of other parts of the Empire and of our Allies. Change in Industry “As manufacturers we realise just what any such sudden demand or changed production means in industry, and I think our factories can be justifiably proud of what they have achieved. This does not mean that we have reached the limit. There are still many factories which could be utilised to a still greater extent on the production of munitions and other commodities associated with war requirements. “It has been tne constant aim of the officers and staff of the federation throughout the year to bring before the Government and the departmental officers concerned the potentialities of New Zealand industry to meet many cf these war requirements. So far our activities have achieved considerable success and the indication is that our factories will be called upon to an in-

creasing extent in the future. 1 know, and I think the Government and people of New Zealand are gradually appreciating, that our factories can turn out an enormous quantity of goods over a vast range. We have the machinery. We have the labour. We have the business enterprise. All we want are the orders.”