AIR STRENGTH AMERICAN PLANES

Waikato Times, Volume 125, Issue 20951, 2 November 1939, Page 8

AIR STRENGTH

AMERICAN PLANES

WAR RISK RATES

WAR ITEMS

CHANGE IN PLANS DEFENCE OF AUSTRALIA AWAITING CONFERENCE (United Press Assn.—Elec. Tel. Copyright) SYDNEY, Nov. 1 The announcement was made last night, after a meeting of the Federal Cabinet, that the whole of Australia’s Air Force plans have been recast as the result of conferences between the Australian and British Governments. The Prime Minister, Mr R. G. Menzies, said the Air Expeditionary Force, which is still in the process of formation, would not be sent abroad. Instead Australia’s future air plans would depend on decisions at the Canadian conference. The immediate assistance that Australia would give the British Government would be to leave in England the nine Sunderland flyingboats due to be sent to Australia, and in addition provide 17 officers and 166 airmen as crews, who would become the , Australian Reconnaissance Squadron. The British Government had requested that Australia should continue to manufacture large aeroplane engines of the type required for the Beufort machines for internal use and export. This would mean a tremendous expansion of the aircraft industry in Australia. Mr Menzies added that every effort would be put forward to speed up the construction of engines of the fighter type.

SHIPMENT TO ALLIES SEVEN HUNDRED IN STORE (United Press Assn. —Elec. Tel. Copyright) NEW YORK, Nov. 1 A survey shows that 700 warplanes are stored or near completion in the United States awaiting the lifting of the arms embargo before shipment to Britain and France. ENVOY IN ALBANIA PROPOSAL BY BRITAIN (United Press Assn.—Elec. Tel. Copyright) LONDON, Oct. 31 Britain has asked Italy to permit the appointment of a British Con-sul-General at Tirana, Albania, where administrative difficulties, which have been considerable since Italy took over Albania, have increased owing to the war. Mr Chamberlain, in the House of Commons, said it was proposed to appoint Mr Graftey Smith to the post, in succession to Sir Andrew Ryan, who was British Minister at Durazzo.

REDUCTION ANNOUNCED EFFECT ON NEW ZEALAND (United Press Assn.—Elec. Tel. Copyright) LONDON, Nov. 1 The Times states that war risk rates will be as follows:—United Kingdom to and from Australia and New Zealand, Allied flag, 60s per cent; Australia and New Zealand, via Cape and Panama, Allied, 255; neutral, 20s.

Australasia to and from East and South-west Africa, Alexandria and Port Said, Allied, 40s; neutral, 20s; Mediterranean, 50s and 40s; Black Sea, 70s and 50s. If via Panama, 10s additional. East, Far East and Australasia, under American flag, via Suez, 50s; via Cape, 20s; via Panama, 10s. Miscellaneous voyages, Australia and New Zealand, 10s.

A cablegram from London published yesterday announced the operation by insurance underwriters of a revised schedule of minimum war-risk rates which included general reductions.

Mr R. G. Casey, Australian Minister of Supply, has arrived in London. * * * • A message from Santiago, Chile, says it is reported that Britain and France have agreed to allow the passage through the blockade of 20,000,000 pesos worth of German equipment for Chilean State railways.

A telegraphist in the city of Puerto Posorja reported that the Peruvian fliers, previously reported missing, landed with their fuel exhausted.