HELP FOR RUSSIA

Wairarapa Times-Age, 25 September 1941, Page 5

HELP FOR RUSSIA

NEED OF UNSPARING EFFORT EMPHASISED IN BRITAIN. UNCOMFORTABLE QUESTIONS ASKED. (By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright) LONDON, September 24. “The Times,” in an editorial, says: “The increasing realisation of the critical dangers to which the Russians are exposed is causing British public opinion to ask uncomfortable questions. “Mr Churchill’s speech on the night Hitler launched the invasion rallied the whole country and pledged it to full co-operation with Russia; but have the Government’s activities fully come up to the spirit of the initial pledge? “Five weeks have elapsed between the formation of the British mission and its arrival in Moscow. An easygoing belief that Russia is doing the job for us must be resolutely discarded. “Lay opinion is unable to judge on details of manpower and production, but it is entitled to an assurance that adjustments are being made in accordance with a considered plan. Obstacles against full production are attributed on the one hand to untimely exigencies of trade union discipline and on the other hand to mismanaging or self-seeking employers. Such obstacles should be unsparingly swept aside, from whatever quarter they come.” MAGNIFICENT DRIVE PRODUCTION OF TANKS FOR SOVIET. BRITISH WORKERS GIVE UP HOLIDAY. (British Official Wireless.) RUGBY, September 23. The following message was sent today to the Minister of Supply, Lord Beaverbrook, in Moscow from representative workers in the Midlands tank factories; "We, representing the workers of the Midlands factories making tanks, pledge ourselves to break all records from now on in aid of our comrades in Russia. Our first tank this week was named by M. Maisky ‘Stalin.’ to whom, representing the workers and soldiers of Soviet Russia, we send greetings and the assurance of all help for our common victory.” Reports coming into the Ministry of Supply on the second day of the great “Tanks for Russia” week indicate that the tank factories are working at higher pressure than ever before to implement Lord Beaverbrook’s promise to give all aid to our ally. At one factory more than 2000 workers were due for two days’ holiday immediately following the tank week in lieu of the Whitsun holiday, throughout which they worked without a stop. Following Lord Beaverbrook’s appeal, however, these workers have volunteered to postpone this holiday indefinitely so that the flow of tanks for Russia may gain increasing momentum. From the manager of another factory engaged in making tanks come reports today that, judged on the output of the first two days, production is likely to be stepped up by at least 10 pei’ cent.- —and this in a factory which has already been working a full 6£-day week, with a very great measure of overtime. Another tank plant was able to report that already the full working day had been further extended, and from other workers m the north-west and the Midlands news is coming in. hour, by hour, of enthusiastic workers extending the greatest war production drive that this country has ever seen. RECORDS SMASHED ON THIRD DAY OF SPECIAL WEEK. BRITISH WOMEN PLAYING GREAT PART. LONDON, September 24. On the third day of the tanks for Russia week production smashed all records. Hundreds and hundreds of tanks are being assembled in ceaseless flow. British women workers are playing a great part in this enormous output