U.—l9.

ARMS, AMMUNITION, AND EQUIPMENT. (a) Small-arms Ammunition. In the early part of the year the position regarding the supply of S.A. ammunition was revised and the necessary steps taken to ensure that the expanding requirements of the forces could be met. (b) Gamp Equipment. The expansion of the forces has caused a very considerable increase in the quantities of camp equipment required. This equipment is being provided from local sources, as far as supplies of raw materials will allow, and from overseas. (c) Equipment, General. Orders to complete requirements for mobilization have been placed in the United Kingdom and Australia, and in a lesser degree with India, Canada, and South Africa. As, however, available equipment must necessarily be distributed in accordance with the varying needs and importance of the various theatres of war, and also throughout the British Commonwealth on a somewhat similar basis, delays in deliveries of certain items are inevitable. This question receives the closest attention both here and abroad, and as a result of delegations sent overseas and close collaboration with the controlling authorities, the requirements of New Zealand receive proper consideration in the general scheme. (d) Manufacture of Munitions. The manufacture of munitions is undertaken by the Munitions Supply Department, and includes the following items: Small-arms ammunition; hand grenades ; mortar bombs, 3 in. ; universal carriers ; Schofield wheel-track vehicle ; 3 in. trench mortars ; mess tins ; water-bottles ; charger clips ; steel-helmet linings ; sundry other items. As in the case of equipment (referred to in subpara. (o) above), raw materials and various components and explosives must be properly distributed throughout the British Commonwealth, and some delay in the supply of these items' must be accepted. (e) Inspection op Munitions. The Army Department has accepted the responsibility for the inspection of all munitions of war during manufacture and on final delivery. To cope with the work it has been found necessary to set up an inspection Branch under the Inspecting Ordnance Officer. All forts were frequently visited during the year by the Inspecting Ordnance Officer, and attention has been given to the storage and repair of gun ammunition. Special proofs of components were carried out from time to time. (/) Ordnance Workshops. The Ordnance Workshops have been fully employed on the installation of modern fire-control instruments for coast defence, and on the inspection and overhaul of instruments associated with anti-aircraft defence. The general maintenance work undertaken by Ordnance Workshops during the year, including the frequent overhaul of artillery equipment, has been extremely heavy in consequence of the increased use to which equipment generally has been put. (g) Uniforms. In the early stages of the war, New Zealand troops proceeding overseas were provided with servicedress clothing. Samples and patterns of battle-dress (the new dress for British troops in the United. Kingdom) were obtained, and after overcoming some preliminary difficulties a number of clothingI'aotories in the Dominion went into production of this type of clothing. The production of battle-dress has now reached a stage where it is not only possible to supply the whole of the needs of the New Zealand Expeditionary Force overseas, but also to provide for the clothing of the New Zealand Home Defence Force. In addition, 29,000 sets have been supplied to India, and an order is in hand for 100,000 sets for the United Kingdom. The change over from service dress to battle-dress for the Home Defence Force is now proceeding, and it is expected that the changes will be completed at an early date. The S.D. clothing which is being released on account of the change over is to be made available for the Home Guard. {h) Clothing, General. The needs of the Army have made a big demand on the resources of the woollen-mills and the clothing-manufacturers in the Dominion. Both the mills and the manufacturers, however, have co-operated so well that the demand has been met, and in addition to supplying the requirements of the Territorial Force in New Zealand and the Expeditionary Force overseas it has been possible to export certain woollen articles to help meet the requirements of other countries.

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