IN THE FAR EAST

Waikato Times, Volume 128, Issue 21370, 14 March 1941, Page 6

IN THE FAR EAST

DEFENCE OF MALAYA EXERCISE AT SINGAPORE AUTHORITIES’ CONFIDENCE (United Press Assn. —£lec. Tel. Copyright) LONDON, March 13 The defence exercises at Singapore were completed yesterday and proved, it is stated, that Malaya can stand up to attack from whatever point of the compass it may come. The exercises were most realistic and included a test of the air-raid precautions scheme. An official statement mentions that the exercises have given the defence authorities great confidence in the present measures, and indicated further steps necessary to perfect the preparations.

OPPOSITION TO BRITAIN AGITATION IN PEKING CONTROL BY JAPAN (United Press Assn.—Elec. Tel. Copyright) LONDON, March 12 Reference to recent reports of agitation by an anti-British committee in Peking was made by the Parliamentary Under-Secretary for Foreign Affairs, Mr R. A. Butler,, in a reply in the House of Commons. There was no proof, Mr Butler said, that the movement had received direct support from the Japanese authorities, but anti-British speeches had been made over the Peking central broadcasting station, which was Japanese-controlled. The programme of the committee included such activities as warning Chinese landlords to give notice to British tenants, investigating British goods and trade, bringing pressure to bear c« those in British employment to leave, and intensification of antiBritish propaganda generally. The shipping situation at Canton, Mr Butler stated in another reply, was governed by an agreement with the Japanese which permitted weekly visits by British ships, subject to certain conditions. . Various offers for the reopening of the river by stages had been made by the Japanese, but the conditions attached had rendered them valueless to British interests. ACCUMULATED FUNDS JAPANESE BONDS BOUGHT FILM COMPANY'S PURCHASE (.United Press Assn.—Elec. Tpl. Copyright) TOKIO, March 12 Japanese newspapers report that Paramount Pictures purchased Japanese Government bonds worth 765,000 yen from accumulated funds for which they were unable to obtain permission to convert into dollars. The Finance Ministry advised the company that it could convert the interest on the bonds into dollars. Other American firms whose assets are frozen are planning similar action. SEVEN MEN KILLED CRASH OF BOMBERS FROM TRAINING BASE (United Press Assn.—Elec. Tel. Copyright) (Received March 14, 3.15 p.m.) TORONTO. March 13 Two large bombing planes touched wings while flying low and crashed on to a farm 35 miles from Toronto. Seven men are believed to have been killed. Royal Canadian * Air Force officers said the machines were from the training base at Port Albert. BOMBS ON EIRE RAID BY GERMAN PLANE (United Press Assn. —Elec. Tel. Copyright) LONDON, March 13 Bombs were dropped from a German aeroplane early yesterday morning near Cardonagh, County Donegal. SERVICES OF WOMEN APPOINTMENT OF COMMITTEE ADVICE TO MINISTER 'United Press A»sn. —Elec. Tel. Copyright) LONDON, March 12 The Minister of Labour and National Service, Mr Ernest Bevin, has appointed a Women’s Consultative Committee to advise him on questions affecting the recruiting and registration of women, and the best methods of securing their services for the war effort. It consists of Miss Dorothy Elliott, Mrs Walter Elliott, Miss Florence Hancock, the Countess of Limerick, Dr. Edith Summerskiil, M.P., Miss Mary Sutherland and Miss Irene Ward, M.P.