STOP PRESS NEWS

Waikato Times, Volume 125, Issue 20991, 19 December 1939, Page 6

STOP PRESS NEWS

CONTROL OF SEAS MR CHURCHILLS CONFIDENCE LONDON. Dec. 18 Mr Winston Churchill characteristically swept the seas in a confident survey, in which he revealed that a considerable proportion of Germany’s naval strength has been out-actioned during the week. He said: “Despite the mines surrounding Britain the First Division of the Canadian Expeditionary Force, escorted by the main Fleet, smoothly sailed mt» one of our harbours yesterday. His * brodacast coincided with an almost hysterical outburst of unjustifiable claims by Germany that the Nazi Air Force had made supreme largescale attacks on British naval patrols in the North Sea and a major air battle in the Heligoland Bight. Mr Churchill, scornfully referring to the Admiral Graf Spee's disregard of the honourable course of fighting to the death, revealed that the only ships awaiting her were the A’jax, the Achilles and the 8-inch gun Cumberland, which replaced the Exeter. The Ajax had two or four turrets knocked out. The Ao'miral Graf Spee knew that the Renown and the Ark Royal wore 1000 miles away when it sailed from Montevideo. There was no harm in admitting now that the Exeter bore up against 40 to 50 hits, many of which shells were thrice the weight that she could fire. Three of her eight-inch (funs were smashed and she sustained nearly 100 casualties, mostly killed, nevertheless she remained guarding Montevideo until the Cumberland arrived.

URGENT REQUEST CALLING OF PARLIAMENT WELLINGTON, Tuesday An urgent, request that Parliament should be called together on the return from England of the Hon. P. Fraser is contained in a letter forwarded to the Prime Minister by the Leader of the Opposition, the Hon. A. Hamilton. The Importance of the occasion and the issues at stake justify .the sitting, states Mr Hamilton.