WITH VICHY GOVERNMENT

Evening Star, Issue 23701, 8 October 1940, Page 7

WITH VICHY GOVERNMENT

FRENCH CONSUL IN AUSTRALIA DE GAULLE SUPPORTERS " HUMBUGS " Press Association—By Telegraph—Copyright SYDNEY, October 8. (Received October 8, at 9.10 a.m.) The French Consul-General in Australia, M. Tremoulet, officially stated that he represented the Retain Government, which was the only French Government, and condemned as humbugs French citizens living in the Pacific who had declared for General de Gaulle. He explained that diplomatic relations had not been broken with the British Government or the dominions. “The more fact that I am here in my official capacity is sufficient proof that my position is recognised by the Commonwealth Government,” he said. The Commonwealth Minister of External Affairs, Mr M'Ewan, replying,, said he regretted the reflection made by M. Tremoulet on the French Pacific colonies. He added; “It is true that M. Tremoulet is recognised by the Commonwealth Government as Consul-Gene-ral for France, but Consular representation is by no means identical with diplomatic representation. The attitude of the United Kingdom Government is shared exactly by the Australian Government. We sympathise with Continental France in her military defeat, but applaud the courageous attitude of the French colonists who are determined to fight on till victory is won.” NAVAL TRAWLER SUNK BY ENEMY MINE (British Official Wireless.) RUGBY, October 7. (Received October 8, at 9.30 a.m.) The Admiralty announces that H.M. trawler Comet has been sunk by an enemy mine.

EMPIRE’S WAR EFFORT

THE EASTERN GROUP CONFERENCE AT DELHI (British Official Wireless.) RUGBY, October 6. Preparations are proceeding at Delhi for the meeting there of the Eastern Group Conference, which will be opened shortly and will be attended by representatives of New Zealand, Australia, and the East African colonies. Their chief task will be to take measures for co-ordination of the war effort in their countries, with special reference to the position in the Near East. Meanwhile, the Roger mission has arrived in India and commenced its tour, during which it will study the development of the munitions industry in India. Striking progress has been made in this field, and adaptation of the plant to war needs is pi'oceediug steadily. The manufacture of steel buildings, engineering supplies, and various types of weapons and ammunition is now being conducted by civil concerns in addition to Government factories. One railway workshop is being adapted to manufacture tanks and armoured cars. The manufacture of many medical supplies hitherto imported is being established, and proposals to manufacture aluminium are being considered. fix other directions India’s vast resources are being drawn upon to assist the Empire’s war effort. During the last six months 1,000 tons of tea has been supplied for use by the Australian defence forces. New demands for coal for the Middle East have been accepted, and negotiations for increasing supplies of certain heavy hides have been successfully concluded. During the past fortnight the orders included timber for Iraq, the Middle East, aud Aden, engineering stores for the Middle East, textiles for Singapore, and jute sacks for Egypt. An order for the construction of a number of small naval vessels is also being executed. CANADA'S PART TORONTO, October 7. (Received October 8, at 9.20 a.m.) The Deputy Air Minister, Mr Duncan, said; “We have more men ovex - - seas, more men on home defence, more men training, more schools operating, and more aerodromes constructed than were envisaged by our original plans. We have been able in every way to increase our contribution to the common cause. Since the war over 3,000 ships, representing 17.000.000 tons, hare left Canada. None has been lost while under Canadian protection this side of the Atlantic.”-