Most or all of the conversions of the Lee-Enfield were done in commonwealth nations when supplies of Bren guns from England looked very suspect in terms of quantity and time of delivery. Even supplies of old Lewis guns from store looked pretty thin. Australia and New Zealand, being on the end of a rather long supply line and having suffered a number of failed promises of equipment by the British might be forgiven for keeping a trickle of substitute guns in production even after receiving a few shipments for England. The British didn't stand down their own home guard until late 1944.
National pride did play a huge role in weapons procurement both before WW I and to some extent, after it. It still plays a part although much smaller.