U.S.A. DESTROYERS

Wairarapa Times-Age, 3 September 1940, Page 6

U.S.A. DESTROYERS

EXCHANGE FOR LEASES

OF BASES IN BRITISH POSSESSIONS

AN AGREEMENT SIGNED.

ACCORDING TO AMERICAN VISITOR. (Bv Telegraph—Press Association.) AUCKLAND, This Day. An agreement has been signed between the United States and the British Government under which 50 American destroyers will be exchanged fcr long-term leases of British possessions in the Western Hemisphere—A statement to this effect was made to an interviewer today by Mr Cornelius Vanderbilt Whitney, chairman of directors of Pan-American Airways, a noted American capitalist and director of

many important companies. When it was pointed out to Mr Whitney that no official announcement had been made of the negotiations between the Governments, he said: “It is true all the same. An agreement has been signed by the representatives of the two countries. I cannot say whether it has been ratified by the individual Governments, but I know that the agreement has been signed.”

WELLINGTON AIRMAN KILLED ON ACTIVE SERVICE. (By Tc-legraph—Press Association.) WELLINGTON. This Day. Mr and Mrs J. O. Priestley, of 184 Glenmore Street, Kelburn, have received cabled advice that their elder son, Pilot-Officer John Sinclair Priestley, lost his life as a result of air operations on August 30. Pilot-Officer Priestley, who was aged 26, received his training with the Royal New Zealand Air Force and only arrived in England three months ago. He represented Wellington College at Rugby football and rifle shooting. On leaving college he joined the electrical engineering firm of Vickery and Co. As a lad he was a keen Scout and achieved honour, becoming a King’s Scout.