CABLE NEWS IN BRIEF

Press, Volume LXXXII, Issue 24907, 21 June 1946, Page 7

CABLE NEWS IN BRIEF

British Clothing Ration Increased.— The Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Trade (Mr J. W. Belcher) announced in the House of Commons that clothing rations for the next period, beginning on August 1 instead of September 1, would be 3D coupons instead of 26 as originally announced because of improved production for the Home market.—London, June 19» Mail Delivery by Helicopter.—A twice daily delivery of air mail by helicopter will be tried in autumn in the metropolitan New York and New Jersey area. The tentative schedule provides for helicopters to leave La Guardia airfield and call at 18 centres. .A similar experiment has been arranged for Los Angeles in July;—New York, June 19. Men Burned by Poison Gos.— Poison gas escaping from German aerial bombs being unloaded at an American naval ammunition dump at Mobile, Alabama, severely burned at least 20 men. A Navy public relations officer said the bombs Were brought from Europe for experimental purposes. They contained mustard gas and phosgene, which were released by nigh temperatures in the ship’s hold. —New York, June 19. New Belgian Ambassador.— The British Government has officially approved the appointment of Viscount Alain de Thieusies as Belgian Ambassador to London in succession to the late Baron Cartier de Marchlenne.— Brussels, June 19. International Trade Conference.— The ' international trade conference which was to have been held in the spring or summer will not be convened until next spring. This is largely the result of the time consumed in negotiating the loan agreement between the United States and Britain,—Washington. June 1&.

Exploring Bed of. Atlantic.— The Swiss stratosphere balloonist Professor Piccard is preparing to explore the bed of the Atlantic, 2| miles below the surface, next spring. He will go down in an electrically driven -steel submarine laboratory called a bathysphere. Professor Piccard will collect specimens on the seabed while his assistant, Mr Max Cosyns, makes a film record through glass portholes.— Brussels, June 19.

Greek Strike Claimed to be Failure. —Work has resumed normally everywhere after the 24-hour general strike in Athens protesting against the Government’s Dili for the restoration of law and order, says Reuter’s Athens correspondent. Government sources have described the strike as a resounding defeat for the Communists, as very few workers obeyed the strike order.—London. June 19. U.S. Trade with Russia.—The Secretary of Commerce (Mr Henry Wallace) announced that two departmental experts will go to Moscow to discuss ways of increasing trade between Russia and America. He added that the Russians’ reconstruction programme and plans for the full development of the Soviet offered tremendous possibilities for American goods.—Washington, June 19

National Day, of Remembrance.—The Prime Minister (Mr Attlee) in the House of Commons confirmed that the King had approved the future observance of the Sunday before November 11 as Remembrance Day. Mr Attlee said it would be a national day of remembrance for both wars, and the date 1939-45 would be added to the Cenotaph. The King would participate in the Cenotaph service on November 10, which would be in the form which had been generally observed since 1919.—London, June 19.