ANSWER TO HARD KNOCKS

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 5, Issue 18, 18 February 1942, Page 2

ANSWER TO HARD KNOCKS

BRITISH MIDLANDS WORKING TO DEFEAT HITLER "The chimneys of the Black Country are pouring forth much smoke these days, and the din of production is continuous. Towns in the .Midlands which from time to time over centuries have forged weapons which won victory on many diHelen t fields never turned out more ol better arms than they are producing to-day—munitions of all kinds, writes a special correspondent ol the London Times. "Some ef these towns in the ait raids of last autumn and winter took hard knocks. Their answer was more furious production. Munitions Answer bombs, runs a phrase to be seen widely in the Midlands, and one vigorously acted upon, "and the !ast word is with our women." The women are playing a valuable part. In Birmingham they include a munition worker ol 811, Mrs Mary Ann Cottrell, a worthy counterpart of "Grandpa," the Soviet guerilla fighter. Mrs Cottrell has .worked continuously in one factory for GO years, and is still turning cut good work with a hand press which Avas supplied 72 years ago—itsell a comment on the excellence of Midland craftsmanship. ' There are more of these valiant veterans. Birmingham recently held War Work Week which was most successful in attracting still more women to the insatiable factories, and among those in a procession el several hundred woman workers were eight honourable veterans of from GO to 80 years. Among the younger woracii—thousands of whom are working hard for tlio defeat of Hitlerism—should be mentioned Evelyn Duncan, a captain iathe operator of 21, who at a war work exhibition recently set up a world record by producing Gl5O A.A. shell components in a Aveek. This compares with a normal Aveekly output of 4000 for a skilled Avorker, and (•he achievement is the more remarkable in that Miss Duncan Avas not Avorking in the more helpful surroundings of the factory, Avith facilities for changing tools quickly, but at an exhibition, with visitors pressing round and asking questions.

Need for Women Many more young women like her are urgently needed. In the Birmingham area alone more than 50,000 more workers will be wanted before Christmas, and women will have to satisfy the need lo a large extent. In most parts and in most factories Additional labour is needed, first, to maintain production as men depart in response to the calls of the Services for skilled mechanics, and, seconly, to push up production to the utmost. I'n the Midlands, as wherever there are tank towns, a special effort is being made to fortify the main front, and tank factories are going full out to ensure a maximum output for the Soviet Union. The Soviet Ambassador saw for himself at two factories (n the Midlands something of what this effort "will mean in reinforcement of the Eastern front against Hitlerism. He, Mme. Maiskj', and the gallant Russian soldiers who accompanied them were impressed with the cheerful enthusiasm of the workers and with the fine machines which enthusiasm and skill are producing"; and they specially enjoyed the phrases painted and chalked on parts and completed tanks. Perhaps the neatest of these was that in which Midlands workers expressed approval of the Anglo-Soviet alliance and friendship in sporting language—"To-day's best double— Winston Churchill and Joe Stalin." Rut, much more than spurts and special weeks, steadily increasing production in the need of the day, and it is above all to* women that' the factories are looking to make that possible. In the Midlands they have responded well, though there are still some 1 for whom places are waiting and women from many other parts cf the eountrj' have come in to help. Working and Saving

The men and women o!' the Midlands are neglecting no means in the determination to lielp to the utmost Birmingham, for instance, has contributed over £ 10,000,000 in war savings and many factories are not only making" munitions but are helping to finance production by means of

enthusiastic savings groups. One branch works recently held a double your savings week. Tliey aimed at £500 the figure they actually reached was £770.

War workers are helping also on the food front. Much spare land round factories has been made into allotments in which workers grow vegetables for themselves and their families and for their works canteens. One difficult plot which remained vacant when adjoining land was taken over for allotments was pianted with potatoes by workers at the factory concerned, and a fine crop will keep this canteen supplied till well past Christmas.

Among the Avar Avorkers to be found here is a group of Norwegians, including some whalers who got back from the Antarctic in the spring ol 1940 to find that their 'and had been invaded. They made for (his country, and are now doing aU they can to hasten the day of liberation for their own and other lands. The Midlands, in Avar as in peace, is playing a Altai part, it is a busy, cheerful, resolute area. lypieal is Birmingham's contribution of mere than 0000 boys to the Air Training Corps. Progress as Avell as tradition influences actively in this great industrial region.

A Prisoner's Notepaper Evidence of a shortage of writing paper in Gcrnuiny. or that the authorities tliere are displaying considerable ingenuity in the use '>f captured material, is suggested by a letter from a prisoner of Avar in Germany to his parents at Auckland. It is written on the back of a printed form issued and used by tin British Army. A similar form has been utilised to improvise an envelope to carry the letter. I lv? forms, which are numbered, Avere part of British materials captured in Greece or Crete, it is thought. Costs not Enough An 81 year old motorist, prosecuted in the Ghristchurch Court for driving Avithout a licence, gave as explanation that he had' applied for a licence but had been refused because he did not haA T e> a doctor s certificate. Defendant told the official that he Avas prepared to be examined by a doctor, but only on condition that the licensing authorities paid for U1 v cost oT obtaining the certificate. He Avas not geingto pay the cost of both the licence and the certificate. The Magistrate ordered him to pay costs only. "Is that all?" the offender asked in ji surprised tone. "It Avill c6st you £20 next time," said Mr E. C.

Levvey. S.M., avj tli a smile