MARCH PAST IN EGYPT

Wairarapa Times-Age, 26 February 1940, Page 5

MARCH PAST IN EGYPT

NEW ZEALANDERS CONGRATULATED BY GENERAL WAVELL

May Have To Wait Some Time For Action

ENEMIES DISCOURAGED AND WAR MADE LESS PROBABLE

AIR FORCE IN NEAR AND MIDDLE EAST

(By Telegraph—Press Association.—Copyright.) LON DOX, February 24. The Nev Zealanders in their first ceremonial parade, without rehearsal, marched past the British Middle Eastern commander, General Wavell, in fine style in the face of fierce wind and rain, states a message from Egypt. General Wavell congratulated them on their smart and businesslike appearance.. “1. cannot tell you your ultimate destination, but don’t be disappointed if you have to wait some time for action,” he said. “Your arrival bis discouraged our enemies and made Avar Jess probable.” Air-Marshal Sir William Mitchell, broadcasting in Egypt said that England and Egypt are building a combined air force which will be ready and equipped to meet any aggression in the Near East and'the Middle East. The R.A.F. squadrons will soon have new types of high-powered bombers and fighters which will surpass in high performance the existing types. American factories are producing over a thousand aeroplane engines a month. “With these added to the British production,” he said “there will be virtually no limit to the number of planes and engines at our disposal.” The Washington correspondent, of the “New York Times” says that the State Department is regarding the Near East as “explosive” and has considered the immediate recall of United States engineers from South Russian oilfields. Most of these engineers have already been withdrawn, but 12 are stationed till March 1 at Batum which officials fear would be a possible objective of hostilities where the Baku pipeline runs eight, miles from the Turkish border. <