AID TO BRITAIN

Waikato Times, Volume 128, Issue 21361, 4 March 1941, Page 6

AID TO BRITAIN

PLANTS TAKEN OVER MOVES IN UNITED STATES PRODUCTION OF ARMS (InltM Press Assn.—Elec. Tel. Copyright) (Received March 4, 3.15 p.m.) WASHINGTON. March 3 It is authoritatively stated to-day that the Government is taking over British-owned arms plants in the United States as part of the programme for aid to Britain, including the British-financed gunpowder plant at Memphis, Tennessee. Early in the war Britain with France, spent 150.000.000 dollars on new plants in the United States and expanding existing ones. Officials of the British punfhasing commission declined to give a list of the plants, but it is known that the British and French financed two powder factories, aeroplane engine and aircraft plants and munition factories. It has been suggested that the cost of this will be applied in partpayment for materials which the Government is lending or leasing to Britain. The War Department has announced that it has placed orders for civilian gas-masks at low cost with five manufacturers. Move to Prevent Delay In the Senate Senator Barkley indicated that he would move to limit further debate on the Lease and Lend Bill. Every effort would be made to obtain a vote by Saturday*. One Administration leader, who asked that his name should not be ! quoted, said: “We will give the opposition another day or so, then if they are still talking we will exercise pressure to prevent a full-fledged filibuster.” Urgency of Emergency The Journal of Commerce to-day predicts that the authorities, deeming the emergency most urgent, will shortly take over automotive plant facilities almost IUO per cent., thus abandoning the prior effort to maintain a large part of the normal production. Every piece of automotive machinery adaptable to defence needs is likely to be taken over. Officials are making a rapid survey of the position. Strikes Delay Defence Efforts A strike began today of 4000 workers, mostly carpenters and members of the Building Trades Council, at Camp Davis, on which the Army’s anti-aircraft firing range, to cost 30,000,000 dollars, is under construction. Mr Patterson, Under-Secretary for War, has recommended the rc-estab-lishment of the world war labour mediation system, with a view to obtaining the benefit of every manhour which labour can throw into the defence programme. Strikes caused a loss of 120,000 man-days in defence labour in the last week of February. This loss is causing as much concern as the shortage of basic materials. MR WENDELL WILLKIE RESUMING LAW PRACTICE VISIT TO CHINA POSTPONED (United Prej-k Assn.—Elec. Tel. Copyright) (Received March 4. 3.15 p.m.) WASHINGTON, March 3 Mr Wendell Willkie has temporarily shelved his proposed visit to China, and is resuming private law practice. Notwithstanding Mr Willkie’s postponement of his visit to China there are indications that the invitation to Australia is receiving favourable consideration. SILK STOCKINGS LIMITATION OF OUTPUT DECISION IN CANADA (United Press Assn.—Elec. Tel. Copyright) (Received March 4, 3.15 p.m.) WASHINGTON, March 3 The Commerce Department stated today that Canada has decided partly to sacrifice the manufacture of silk stockings to war production. The Dominion has arranged with hosiery manufacturers to discontinue the production of all-silk stockings for domestic consumption, but the agreement permits the manufacture of part-silk stockings for Canadian use and all-silk stockings for export. NOT RESPONSIBLE POSITION OF INDO-CHINA (United Pre?s Assn. -Ei»r Tel. Copyright) SAIGON, March 2 The semi-official news agency said today that Indo-China is not autonomous, therefore it is not responsible for any of the Vichy Government's decisions. SCARCITY OF FOOD CONDITIONS IN JAPANPRESSURE BY GERMANY (United Press Assn—El«*r. Tel. Copyright) (Received March 4, 3.15 p.m.) BATAVIA, March 3 Thirty-six Dutch evacuees from Kobe have arrived in Sourabaya. They stated that the German Legation staff at Tokio numbers 300, and is exerting full pressure on the Japanese Government. The evacuees described economic conditions in Japan as bad. There n a scarcity of food and the rice crop has failed. There is a shortage of woollen clothing and shoes are difficult to purchase. There are no metal household utensils or nails.