PROMPT PASSAGE

Wairarapa Times-Age, 1 February 1941, Page 5

PROMPT PASSAGE

FOR LEND AND LEASE BILL

SOUGHT BY AMERICAN COMMITTEE. THE MAJORITY REPORT. | (By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright > WASHINGTON. January 31. The House of liepresenttri lives Foreign Affairs Uoniniil- ! tee in its majority report st at - i ed: “So far as rhe human I mind can evaluate the situai tion. the probable elTect of the L( nd and Lease Hill will be to keep us from war rather ih,‘in get us into it. Its prompl enactment is of the highest importance to the vital interi ('sts <ii our country—even our civilisation. “ The Senate Foreign Relations Committee has invited Mr. Wendell Willkie to be the final witness in the Aid ■ to Britain Bill hearings. I Mr. Alfred Sloan, chairman of Gen- ; eral Motors, urged all-out aid to Britain anti approved the vesting of strong emergency powers in the President. "I would go the limit, giving Britain first call on our resources and production," he said. STRONG TIES PRESIDENT AND VISCOUNT HALIFAX. ASSURANCE OF CO-OPERATION. (By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright i WASHINGTON. January 30. The State Department revealed that when the British Ambassador, Lord Halifax, presented his credentials on January 24 to President Roosevelt, the latter said: "Britain and the United States have long been linked by the intimate bonds of blood and friendship. I am confident that your presence in the United States will increasingly strengthen these strong tics. Let me assure you that you may always count on my full co-operation and the cooperation of the various agencies of this Government. "I assure you further of our firm determination to continue on an everincreasing scale our assistance to Britain and make available the munitions and supplies now flowing from the United States’ rapidly-expanding industrial facilities.” Lord Halifax said he would attempt to follow Lord Lothian’s example, doing all in his power to maintain and strengthen the close relations betweei? Britain and the United States. “I take up this office.” he added, "when the help the people of the United States are giving to Britain assumes ever-in-creasing importance. That assistance is already invaluable and that its continuance will assuredly secure our triumph and cause you no loss we are resolved."

An attempt to invade Britain in the near future was predicted yesterday by the American Secretary of the Navy (Colonel Frank Knox), the 8.8. C. states. He declared that the United States Government had information that the Gormans were watching long-range weather forecasts for an extended period of good weather in which to attempt an invasion. A grave crisis might occur within GO or 90 days, and the Germans might try to use gas on a big scale. Colonel Knox said the recent lull in German air activity was reported to be due to a search for a new type of plane which would make all other planes obsolete. GIFT FOR PLANES AMERICAN ROYALTIES IN BRITAIN. RUGBY, January 30. The ’Beaumont Birch Company of Philadelphia having decided to give the royalties it has received for the exploitation of its plants in Britain to assist the war effort, a first cheque for £209 lias been sent to the Minister of Aircraft Production, Lord Beaverbrook, toward the purchase of a Spitfire.