WIDE POWERS

Waikato Times, Volume 125, Issue 20951, 2 November 1939, Page 7

WIDE POWERS

BRITISH BLOCKADE

AVOIDING BLOCKADE

DEFENCE OF AUSTRALIA SECURITY OF NATION MANUFACTURE OF ARMS (United Preas Assn.—Elec. Tel. CopyrtgUt) (Received Nov. 1, 12.40 p.m.) SYDNEY, Nov. 1 The Prime Minister, Mr Menzies, announced that the Cabinet had approved of the establishment without delay of a factory for the manufacture of large aeroplane engines, to supply not only the requirements of Australia but also in part those of Britain and the other Dominions.

CANBERRA, Nov. 1

Drastic powers to virtually commandeer the services of Australian factories have been taken by the Commonwealth Government in new national security regulations, which empower the Minister for Supply to declare any goods or commodities

as being essential for national purposes.

Once any class of goods has been so declared the Ministry may call upon any persons owning such goods to deliver them immediately for defence purposes.

SYSTEM OF CONTROL IMPORTS OF CONTRABAND SUCCESS OF CONVOY SYSTEM (United Press Assn.—Elec. Tel. Copyright) LONDON, Oct. 31 The Minister of Economic Warfare, Mr Hibbert Cross, was asked in the House of Commons in what w-ay British operations fell short of the rules of blockade as defined by international law. In reply, the Minister said the essence of the blockade was the prevention of all ingress to and egrew from the blockaded coast of the place, irrespective of the nationality of a ship or the origin, nature, ownership or destination of its cargo. The British Government had not declared any blockade of Germany. However, it had instituted a system of control over imports of contraband into Germany, directly or through neutral countries. This was considered effective to prevent the passage to Germany of articles which would be useful for the prosecution of war. Lessons of Convoy System The experience of the last war showed the convoy system to be a satisfactory anti-submarine defence and the lesson then learned is being practised now. In the main, the organisation developed in the last war is being followed now, with additional anti-aircraft defence in home waters. No ship sails until a sufficient number to form a convoy have loaded cargo. Then, as far as possible, ships of equal speeds form the same convoys. The speed of a convoy is that of the slowest ship. Where possible, fast ships are given a special escort. The ships sail in several column* abreast, and each ship is as close behind the one in front as possible. “Station keeping” is routine Navy work of which the Merchant Service has hitherto had little experience, and the rapidity with which seamen and officers pick up the art speaks well for their seamanship. Zigzag Coarse Steered The convoy steers a zigzag course, altering direction every few minutes at the orders of the convoy commodore, while the escort vessels proceed at high speeds ahead and on either side, searching the largest possible area. If a ship is torpedoed, one escort vessel stands by while the remainder steam on with the convoy as fast as possible.

Throughout the whole voyage, the convoy commodore and escort ships are constantly in touch with the Admiralty, receiving early warning of any submarine or other hostile craft.

Although it is not impossible, it is difficult for hostile craft to damage greatly a suitably-escorted convoy.

MOVE BY RUSSIA GERMAN SHIPS BOUGHT WARNING BY MR ROOSEVELT ‘United Press Asm —Eire Tel. Copyright) LONDON, Nov. 1 Russia is reported to have agreed to buy all the Germar ships in Russian ports. Accordingly, it is stated, it will not be long before these ships are at sea again, but under the Soviet flag. WASHINGTON, Oct. 31 President Roosevelt has issued a warning against Americans selling essentials not produced in the United States. It is authoritatively stated that this arose from the Soviet’s efforts to buy 10,000 tons of rubber in America. presumably for Germany, since Russia is not short of rubber. Diplomatic reports indicate that Russia so far has not been willing or has been enable to ship considerable quantities of war and other materials to Germany, but is attempting to obtain supplies for Germany outside Europe.

The British United Press’ Moscow* correspondent states the Supreme Council voted the Western Ukraine Into the Soviet Union.