BRITISH DEFENCE

Waikato Times, Volume 124, Issue 20731, 15 February 1939, Page 7

BRITISH DEFENCE

AIR RAID PRECAUTIONS TEST OF STEEL SHELTERS PROTECTION FROM BOMBS (United Press Assn.—Elec. Tel. Copyright) LONDON, Feb. 13 The results were made public today of a test carried out at the experimental ranges at Shoeburyness which showed that the steel air raid shelters, the free distribution of which to families in the lower income groups is expected to commence at the end of the month, will, if sunk in the ground and covered with earth, afford protection to the occupants from high explosive bombs-falling within 30 feet. In to-day’s experiment a 5001 b medium-case high explosive bomb was electrically detonated. Although the detonation tore a huge crater in the earth and practically demolished a substantially-built structure representing a row of two-storey houses, the shelters remained intact, although the brickwork from the blown-up buildings crashed down upon them. £1,000,000 Evacuation Scheme In connection with air raid precautions. Sir John Anderson, Minister of National defence, announced to-day that the approval of Parliament would be sought for an immediate start on a programme costing £1.000,000 sterling for the provision of 50 holiday camps, which in war time would be used to supplement billeting under the evacuation schemes. BRITISH AIR MISSION ARRIVAL IN AUSTRALIA TO VISIT NEW ZEALAND (United Press Assn.—Elec. TeL Copyright) SYDNEY, Feb. 15 The senior members of the British Air Mission, Colonel Sir Donald Banks and Air Marshal Sir Arthur Longmore, arrived at Fremantle by the Orontes from London to-day. They will furnish a confidential report to the Commonwealth Government on the most suitable types of aircraft to be built here, which they consider will likely be similar to those adopted for the defence of Singapore. The mission will later go to New Zealand. ALL VACANCIES FILLED BRITISH CIVIL AIR GUARD (United Press Assn.—Elec. Tel. Copyright) LONDON, Feb. 13 The continued enthusiastic response to the appeal for volunteers for the Civil Air Guard has resulted in all vacancies bein-g filled for a considerable time ahead, and entry has, therefore, been closed. EXERCISES BY FLEETS OPERATIONS NEAR GIBRALTAR (United Press Assn.—Elec. Tel. Copyright) LONDON, Feb. 13 The usual combined exercises will be carried out by the ships of the Home and Mediterranean Fleets in the neighbourhood of Gibraltar next month. The first series will take place between March 3 and 6, and the second between March 10 and 18. After the exercises all ships will return to Gibraltar before dispersing. DEFENCE OF AUSTRALIA SPEEDING UP OF OUTPUT THE MANUFACTURE OF MUNITIONS (United Press Assn.—Elec. Tel. Copyright) (Received Feb. 15, 1.30 p.m.) MELBOURNE, Feb. 15 Mr J. A. Lyons, reviewing the progress in munition manufacture in Australia, said that since September the output in many cases and the number of men engaged had been doubled. Mr Lyons announced that the whole field of arms output would be further speeded up. New factories would be built and others extended.