FLYING FORTRESSES

Wairarapa Times-Age, 3 January 1942, Page 4

FLYING FORTRESSES

PRODUCTION GREATLY INCREASED SLOGAN AT SEATTLE. “REMEMBER PEARL HARBOUR!” (By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright) (Received This Day, Noon.) SEATTLE, January 2. The Boeing Aircraft Company, producing Flying Fortress bombers, exceeded its delivery schedule in December by seventy per cent, working on a scven-day week basis under the slogan “Remember Pearl Harbour!” STOCK EXCHANGE VIEW OPPOSITION TO WRECKING I POLICY. IN MALAYAN TIN & RUBBER AREAS. (By Telegraph—Press Association —Copyright) (Received This Day, Noon.) LONDON, January 2. The Stock Exchange opened the New Year in good fettle. Mr Churchill’s speeches and the news from Russia and Libya have offset Far Eastern uncertainties, although the renewed firmness is principally due to the weight of money still seeking investment. Investment advisers generally take a hopeful view of 1942, except for shares directly exposed to hostilities. It is regarded as certain that gilt-edged securities will continue firm, to the advantage of Dominion bonds and all sound fixed-interest stocks. The desirability of applying the scorched earth policy in Malaya, especially whei'e tin is concerned, is questioned in trade circles, where it is claimed that the wrecking of refineries alone will not deny any really substantial quantities to Japan. The “Investors’ Chronicle” says there seems little reason for us to embark on the deliberate wrecking of dredges and mining equipment. The occupation of Thailand and In-do-China has given Japan twice her average annual requirements of rubber. Therefore the wholesale destruction of rubber trees, and facilities is unlikely to interfere with her essential rubber supplies, although it may prevent her piling up big reserves. The “Statist” says Japan’s own smelting capacity only suffices for her domestic production. Tin ore from Thailand and Indo-China will be useless while transport to Germany and Holland is barred and refinery facilities in the Straits Settlement are denied to Japan. Imperial Chemical Industries are reported to be expediting plants for manufacturing synthetic rubber.

A.I.F. UNIT

DOING GOOD SERVICE IN MALAYA. ONLY TWO MINOR CASUALTIES. (By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright) (Received This Day, Noon.) SINGAPORE, January 2. An A.I.F. motor transport unit, comprising nearly 400 officers and men, has been engaged in fighting in NorthWestern Malaya since the outbreak of war. This is the only A.I.F. unit as yet actively engaged against the Japanese. It has been supplying British and Indian units with ammunition and supplies. Although constantly passing through danger zones and subjected to countless air attacks, the unit has suffered only two minor casualties. AMERICAN NAVY CO-OPERATION WITH ALLIES. LONDON, January 2. The United States Navy Department states that United States naval units are co-operating with British and Netherlands units in the Pacific,