FOREIGN PRESS REVIEW DAILY SURVEY OF WORLD COMMENT ON THE WAR COMPILED FROM TELEGRAPHIC -REPORTS RECEIVED BY THE MINISTRY OF INFORMATION No. 20 6th February* , 1940 SWEDEN: U.S.A.'S '’DISAPPOINTING-" ATTITUDE TO FINLAND Although United States opinion regarding Finland has left nothing to be desired, the attitude of official America has been all the more disappointing. This view was taken in yesterday's AFTONBLADET and this paper, the organ of the People's Party, added: "Immediate and generous help for the Finnish epoplc has been promised, but as time goes on, the retreat from these promises increases* The pjuestion now is whether a remarkable change of attitude to a just cause can unfavourably affect American prestige abroad*" After expanding this theme further, the paper continued: "There are vast material resources in America and it is difficult to believe that the rich United States is unable to help little Finland. If America with a good conscience is delivering weapons to the Allies, there appears no logical impediment in the way of Finland's purchasing from this inexhaustible arsenal." A picture of the conditions in Poland was drawn in the STOCKHOLMS by the Berlin correspondent of that paper. "Germans returning from Poland describe the undying hate in the eyes of the Polish people," he affirmed* "German policemen would give any- s thing to get away. One Nazi officer asked Are we. to hold a pistol at the head of the Polish workers to make them work?* The Polish intelligentsia has disappeared. It will never be known how many Poles have been shot for attacks on Germans, "In Western Poland the population is being removed and driven Eastwards without any belongings* A state of chaos exists in the country." Similar reports have reached the DAGENS NYHETSR which stated: "According to information received, Poland's educated class is suffering great infliction. In the name of civilisation, representatives of science and learning should be allowed to investigate what is happening and give help where it is needed*" The AFTONBLADET expressed amazement that Communists should still exist in Sweden* and added: "After what has happened and is happening, there should, not he a single Ru see-Swede in Sweden. We have been far too lenient in the past* Communists hope for a Russian victory. They play no role in Sweden and only constitute an annexe to a foreign regime hostile to Sweden* i! FOREIGN PRESS REVIEW 2 Page • 6. 2. 40. NORWAY: NAZI "INHUMAN" SEA WARFARE. Another outspoken attack on the Nazi methods of waging war at sea - described in Norway as "inhuman" - has been made in the Norwegian Press. part of Attacking what he describes as unreasonable criticism on the the NORGES HANDIES OG SJOFARTSTINDENDE of Mr. Churchill's speech a correspond- ent of the paper stated: "We suffer our peace-loving seamen to be murdered monstrously fashion, protest and indignantly against in a inhuman but we loudly those whom we expect to defend us against these outrages," Criticising M. Koht’s speech the correspondent added: "We ought at any rate to leave it to the Germans themselves to find their own excuses. We have had too many frightful torpedoings which are still difficult to explain away. One thing is absolutely certain -itis no good saying British sub- marines are at fault for no one on earth would believe that. " In reply it was stated in a leading article: "Any comparison between civilised methods and barbarism is not possible. We would have insulted Mr. Churchill had we judged him by the sane standards we apply to the gentry who draw down upon the people the responsibility for inhuman sea warfare. This warfare is now being waged against defenceless neutral seamen. Responsibility must also be borne for the murder of women, children and " invalids in Finland RUMANIA: PEACE POLICY OP BALKAN ENTENTE. "The Belgrade conference peace of has fully proved that the policy of the Balkan Entente is not the opportunist product of the moment, " This comment the results of the Balkan conference is in on made to-day's ROMANIA, the official organ of the National Renaissanse Front, The paper “The Balkan Entente resolution should serve as an example to others. The principles exposed by the final statement exclude any dubious interpretation, thus silencing tendentious rumours and insinuations. " The view of CURENTUL is given in the "The words: Belgrade meeting has agreed to oppose any idealogical infiltration or any infiltration of belligerent interests capable of modifying the balance of the the defence of the Entente, territory, or the united will of the allied states to draw nearer to their neighbours. "An important fact is that the decision to remain at also commits peace Turkey. The statement contains elements of satisfaction to each of the Belligerents". IQOMIViIRSUL states: "The Balkan Entente communique shows complete agreement' on all points. Its exact text has dissipated fantastic rumours and clarified the atmosphere. "Rumania’s firm, energetic and understanding attitude is fully appreciated "by the Balkan allies and diplomatic circles* " 5.2.40. 3 FOREIGN PRESS REVIEW • Page GERMANY: NAZI COMPARISON OF WARTIME COLLECTIONS. A statement that British wartime collections failed to yield as much as German collections has been made in a German newspaper report which takes care to omit the fact that Nazi collections are scarcely voluntary. In a message from Berlin the WESTFAELISCHE LANDESZEITUNG stated yesterday: "The English are trying to raise their spirits with the result of a collection for the Red Cross, about which they enthusiasti- cally report that in five months a sum of about 10 million marks has been realised. The British must be in very urgent need of successes to announce this. If 10 million marks in five months is a big feat in the richest country in the world, the British may as well shut up shop. "The so-called spirit of sacrifice for the war among the English cannot be worth much, "We Germans can show results which represent a better measure generosity of our people. of the The fourth ‘sacrifice Sunday 1 alone 129800,000 marks, and the Leipzig Radio Station produced on one single day received 2,600,000 marks for the Winter Help Fund," The referred to paper the reported amalgamation of London Departmental stores and added: "While the British people are being led ever deeper into misery by the war of their Jewish related plutocratic clique, the Jewish war profiteers extend their domination mo is and more openly*" A number of newspapers printed a message from the Hague reading: ”The British troops of occupation are now proceeding in the most unscrupulous manner against the Chinese and other natives of Singapore where disturbances have spread from India. During a funeral ceremony a strong police detachment appeared suddenly in the Cemetery and arrested 100 Chinese on the spot. The reason was alleged to be that they were members of a secret league. In reality the British authorities are extremely annoyed because their methods of violence have not yet broken the Singapore Dock strike," Commenting on attacks on Merchant shipping, the KOELNISCHKR ZEITUNG wrote that Mr, Churchill was wrong in saying that the convoy system was a safe instrument of sea transport and added: "The neutral ships, whose owners and captains realise that by sailing in convoys they are becoming enemy vessels, will learn from the experience of German successes,” Several German papers published a message from the Hague reading: "Afc the time of the sinking by German submarines of the Dutch steamer Arendskerk with a cargo of contraband, it was doubted in the British Press whether the U-boat captain in accordance with his assurances, had summoned another neutral ship to rescue the men who had taken to the boats," The message went on to quote the Dutch captain as saying that the German submarine had actually kept its promise, but at the same time, it showed the neutrals■that refusing to sail in convoy was far from a guarantee that a neutral ship would not be torpedoed by the Germans, FOREIGN PRESS REVIEW • Page 4 6.2.40. ARGENTINE: POLISH ATROCITIES CONDEMNED, Strong condemnation of the German atrocities in Poland has been made in the influential Buenos Aires newspaper LA NACION. This journal stated in a recent issue: "Recent declarations made to the Press by the Vice-Governor of the section of Poland occupied by the German forces, in which he stated that the invading nation considered, in of the Polish the first instance, the welfare people, strikes strikes some people as irony, after all that irrefutable testi- monies have revealed about the conditions to which the subjugated popu- lation, and especially the Catholic section of it, are being submitted, A particularly interesting passage in the Vice-Governor's declarations is the one in which he tries to give the impression that in Poland there is no real opposition to the Nazi regime, unless it is that of certain impertinent minorities. "Continuing this series of pretences, the Nazi Governor affirms the convenience to the Poles- of the fact that the invaders do not per- mit the re-opening of all their cultural institutions, since these would constitute centres of subversion which the Germans would be obliged to suppress by force. "The whole document abounds in similar inexactitudes and twistings and it constitutes a typical example of the methods of working and per- verting which characterise the Hitlerite regime in its damnable enter- prises of domination." VENEZUELA: MR. CHAMBERLAIN'S CONVINCING SPEECH, The Caracas newspaper, AHORA, commenting on the recent speech by Mr. Chamberlain, stated: "The declarations made by Mr, Chamberlain during the banquet given him by the National Defence Public Interest Committee consisted of an impressive summing up of England's effort# during this third of hostilities against Germany, The credit phase balance which is shown in the intense campaign af war-like preparation being carried out by the British people is really surprising. Each section of national activity has produced magnificent results. "Mr. Chamberlain showed himself to be a practical and methodical man by the way he expressed in figures the elements which must con- stitute the foundations of victory. "This time he did not make a great deal of the spiritual and moral motives, although he fenced with great ability with the inter-* argument that no neutral country vould consider itself menaced British could not be blamed by the power of England and that the Navy for sinking a single neutral ship or causing the death of a single non-belligerent. 5.2.40. FOREIGN PRESS REVIEW • Page 5 "This assertion is correct and it brings out clearly the predatory and unscrupulous attitude of Hitler's Germany. "Mr, Chamberlain’s speech is in striking contrast with that made by Hitler. The one is quiet, calm, convincing and of great solidity of agrument. The other is bitter, irresolute and perfectly attuned to the arbitrary standards of Nazi mentality. " TUNIS: "HARD BLOW AT HITLER'S HEAD. "Mr. Chamberlain’ speech was a hard blow at Hitler's head. Hitler merely repeated the old Versailles theme," This statement was made by the Arabic newspaper EN-NAHDA commenting oh the speeches by Mr. Chamberlain, M.Daladier and Herr Hitler. The paper pointed out M.Daladier's confidence which was born of Britain’s close union with France and the ever growing Allied solidarity and added: "The speeches by the British and French leaders define the Allied attitude and after them the Berlin and Stuttgart wireless stations may say all they like in any way they like." ITALY: ITALY'S ROLE IN THE BALKANS. The part played by Italy in bringing the Balkan Entente meeting to a successful conclusion was stressed in last night's Italian Press, which welcomed the communique issued after the Conference. "Without formal understandings, the policy of the Balkan States coincides notably with that of Italy," wrote Signor Gayda in the GIORNALE D f ITALIA. "No pressure, near or far, is exercised by Italy, but Italian influence was indubitably present and is manifested in the example of her attitude and the serer.O firmness of her constructive efforts." In a message from Belgrade the MESSAGGERO pointed out that the European spirit had prevailed over the local spirit and added: "This is already large, and may mean everything in respect of results it is yet hoped to attain," of the Conference Messages from London stated that the result been with but it stated that Paris had accepted good grace, was was "not elated". Further commenting on Italy’s role in the Balkans the VOCE T^TTATTA noted that Italy's three year policy of neutralising all hegemonies and foreign influence in the Balkans had proved victorious over all others. FOREIGN PRESS REVIEW 6 Page 6.2.40. This paper added that the Conference could not have met in the present conditions if "the new consciousness of duties in the Balkan countries and the more realistic considertion of the balance of power in South-Eastern Europe had not, owing to Italy's contri- bution, made head' ay." Mr, Oliver Stanley’s speech was generally reported under the "British r Minister Against Negotiated Peace," and the heading ar GAZETTO DEL POPOLO the Turin newspaper referred to Fascist , interruptions. from European capitals published in to-day's news papers alludes to Italy's decisive influence on the Balkan conference, and the TELEGRAFO in a message e-itur from Budapest, satisfaction at’Turkey’s declaration of neutrality despite the Anglo-French Alliance’’. Satisfaction is also felt at Yugoslavia's constructive influence regarding the Hungaro-Roumanian relations which, it is declared, must be regulated before potent accord can be reached. Comments from Berlin declared that the result of the meeting was "diametrically oppose! to that desired by the Allies". The POPODI ROMA, in a Berlin message, .cites- a denial of the presence of Germans in the foreign legions in Finland, but points out the "significant fact" that five special German correspondents have been sent to Finland although none are following Russian troops. There are, it is added, only two German correspoondents in Russia. FRANCE: PRAISE FOR WAR MINISTER’S SPEECH. Mr, Oliver Stanley’s speech has again been praised in the French Press. The EXCELSIOR found it full of common sense and resolution, the JOURNAL said that he spoke like a man, the ACTION FRANCAISE considered the most excellent pas,age was that which underlined the radical difference between the spirit of Germany end the spirit of the 'Jest, and Prax in the PETIT PXRI3IEN emphasised that the joint power and strength of the Allies was increased by the important news revealed by the Secretary for War that England’s reached a higher figure in December than in peace-time, which clearly showed how little effect Hitler's submarine warfare has had. There was a divergence of opinion on the results of the Belgrade Conference. On the left the POPULAIRE found that the Balkan Entente had recovered a cohesion that it seemed to have lost, and. that this sub- stantial result was a positive element of peace, security and independence in the Balkans. The JUSTICE pointed to the improvement on the political plane and the strengthening of economic co-operation as the constructive achievements of the Conference. In the EXCELSIOR Pays said that Belgrade,, Bucharest, Angora and Athens had given proof of serenity, confidence and strength. 5- 2- kO. FOREIGN PRESS REVIEW Page U.S.A; NAZI JUBILATION PREMATURE - U.S. PRESS. There is little foundation for the German belief that the Balkan Entente meeting was a success from the Nazi standpoint. This view is expressed in today’s NEW YORK TIMES, which states: "There is no good reason for the jubilation that has come from German, spokesmen over the outcome of the Conference at Belgrade. Troubled waters are necessary for Nazi fishing whether Germany seeks to win Balkan grain and oilby peaceful intimidation or aggression. Wisely the Balkan states have not supplied Germany or any potential aggressor." Commenting on Herr Hitler’s speech, the MIAMI HERALD stated: "The English studiously refrain from making any loud threats they as to what are going to do. Such language as that used by Hitler is foreign to their programme. At the same time, knowing the English character, we are forced to believe that they are steadily pursuing their own plan for the reduction of Germany’s sea, air and fighting forces." The neutrals would do better to throw in their lot with Britain and F r ance according to the PORTLAND OREGON JOURNAL. This paper added: "The behaviour of Germany and Russia towards their newly acquired vassals in Central Europe and on the Baltic should be a warning." The CLEVELAND NEWS published extracts from a booklet written by a former secretary cf the Y.M.C.A. in Prague. It was stated that the Nazi system was trying to destroy completely all Czech schools and educational establishments. The pamphlet added: "The Nazis have plundered the country and taken over its forests, mines, industries and banks. They are attempting by brute force to Nazify Czech youth by denying them education, by shooting the students and by closing the Universities." 6/2/40 - No. 1. FRENCH OFFICIAL COMMUNIQUE MORNING Paris, Tuesday, 6th February 1940 The following official communique' was issued tills morning from French G-.H.Q:- NOTHING TO REPORT. 6/2/40. - No. 2. ARMY COMFORTS. Owing to the very generous response by the public to the broadcast and Press appeals last week on behalf of the Army Comforts Fund - over 50,000 parcels have already been received - it will not be possible to acknowledge all these gifts individually for some time. In the meantime the Fund remains open for contributions, which are being distributed to troops at home and overseas*, This announcement is made to dispel any concern the public may have that their generous gifts have not been received. THE WAR OFFICE, Whitehall, S*W.l. 6/2/40 - No. 3. GOLD COAST COMMISSIONER*S TOUR LOYALTY OF TOGOLAND CHIEFS. His Excellency the Governor of the Gold Coast, Sir 1 Arnold Hodson, K* Co Mo Go has just completed a nine days tour , of the Southern Section of Togoland under British Mandate* He penetrated on foot into the mountains of Togoland and into the remotest ’'’bush” villages* Everywhere he went he was accorded a rousing • reception "by the chiefs and the people, many of whom had come fifty miles to greet him and to assure him of their unswerving loyalty to the British Empire and His Majesty the King© The local hunters and farmers also assembled on the palaver-grounds to perform their traditional dances in honour of the Governor* Sir Arnold also visited the Leper Settlement at Ho, where he was received by a guard of honour drawn from the Settlement Scout Troop* He had a long talk with James Carrier, who contracted leprosy while serving as a transport driver with the Gold Coast Regiment in the East African Campaign of 1916- 1918* James, who is totally blind and "badly disfigured "by leprosy, talked cheerfully about his memories of the last war.. EMPIRE AFFAIRS 6/2/40 - No. 4. PRESS NOTICE, ROYAL NAVAL WAR COMFORTS COMMITTEE. It has been observed lately by the above official Committee at the Admiralty that several people have written letters to the public press stating that there are bases where it seems to be nobody’s business to look after the comforts of the men of the Fleet and Auxiliaries* This gives an erroneous idea which is likely to hurt the feelings, not only of the many generous donors of comforts and other gifts to the Navy, but also of the voluntary organisations who have worked so hard to distribute them to all vessels employed by the Admiralty* Literally hundreds of thousands of gifts comprising garments, games, cigarettes, books, magazines, sweets and food, including boxes of -fruit, have already been distributed, and by consultation with the Royal Naval War Comforts Committee as little overlapping as possible has ensued and no units escape consideration* The work, will, of course, be continued till the end of the war, and gifts can be received and distri- buted in consultation with the Admiralty by the undermentioned voluntary organisations:- The Depot for Knitted Garments for the Royal Navy, 11A West Halkin Street, S.W.1. (Knitted garments only) 0 Soldiers and Sailors Help Society, 122 Brompton Road, S.W.3. and ail its branches, (Other than knitted garments)* and all gifts other than perishable goods may be sent to:- The Navy League, Grand Buildings, Trafalgar Square, W*C*2« and all its branches* The British Legion, Haig House, 26 Eccleston Square, S.W.l. and all its branches. Daily Sketch War Relief Fund, 144 Piccadilly, W. 1. In addition to the above, many working parties are contributing to local organisations. Several hundred Dart Boards have been and are being distributed from the Daily Mirror Cassandra Fund; Draught Boards from the Reynolds Newspaper Fund, The Admiralty take this opportunity to thank all those who have so generously contributed or given their time towards the making and distri- bution of these welcome gifts* Any further enquiries should be made to the Royal Naval War Comforts Committee, Admiralty, S o Wol o , but no gifts can be received at the Admiralty for forwarding. These should be sent by post whenever possible to the organisations referred to above in parcels of under 15 lbs* It is suggested that donors should, if they so desire, attach labels to gifts indicating sender’s name and address* ADMIRALTY. S*W* 1. 6/2/40 - No, 5. PRESS NOTICE Sinkings due to enemy action for week ending midnight Sunday/Monday 4th/5th February, 1940. N o. Tonnage. BRITISH 8 25,069 ALLIED (French) NEUTRAL 6 17,546 14 42,615 BRITISH SINKINGS:- Tonnage. 28th January S/S "ESTON" 1,487 29th " S/S "STANBUBN" 2,881 “ 30th Tanker "VACLITE" 5,026 30th ” S/S "BAHCREST" 4,450 30th " S/S "GIRALDA" 2,178 30th S/S “ "HIGHWAVE" 1,178 3rd February S/S "ARMAN ISTAN" 6,805 2nd " S/S "PORTELET" 1,064 25,069 NOTE:- The tankers "VOREDA" and "BRITISH COUNCILLOR" have not been included the sinking of these has not as ships yet been verified. NEUTRAL SINKINGS 27th January S/S "FREDENSBORG" Danish 2,094 28th " S/S "ELENI STATHATOU" Greek 5,625 30th " S/S "KERAMIAI" Greek 5,085 Ist February S/S "VIDAR" Danish 1,353 Ist " S/S "FRAJ..I" Norwegian 2,760 3rd S/S 629 " "TEMPO" " 17,546 Last week was neither a particularly good nor a particularly had week from the viewpoint of sinkings of British merchant ships. Eight British ships, of a total tonnage of 25,000 tons, were sunk by enemy action. It must, however, be remembered that since the beginning of the war the average weekly gain, by new construction, captures of German merchant ships and purchase of foreign ships amounts to about 20,000 tons. ADMIRALTY. S.W. 1. There are posters for general display for display - in sea-port towns - and posters specially designed for club and other indoor display. A warning notice which will be widely exhibited makes the following point ’’Thousands of lives were lost in the last war because valuable information was given away to the enemy through careless talk.” Another poster .emphasises this warning by the picture of a sinking ship with the caption ”A few careless words may end in THIS”. It is interesting that this has been designed by Norman Wilkinson, who did so much work on camouflage to help pi*otect our ships against the submarine in the last war. A special poster has been designed for exhibition in munition, aircraft and other factories carrying out Government work and bears the following injunction You know more than other people*, You are in a position of trust. Don’ t. let the fighting forces down. A few careless words may give something away that will help the enemy and cost us lives. Above all he careful what you say to strangers and in public. " All these posters are as serious in nature as the subject with which they are concerned, but our people respond to humour, sometimes more than to serious injunctions® For that reason, ’’Fougasse” so well known as an illustrator has been asked to help in this campaign by producing a number of Anti-gossip posters in colour. Post Offices and telephone kiosks, Underground railway stations, hotels, public houses and restaurants, factories and A«R*P. posts, barbers’ shops and billiard rooms, clubs and village halls, golf clubs and shops mercantile marine offices and cross-channel steamers indeed in every place where men and women meet there will be a poster warning all of the danger of careless talk. The British Legion will be asked to take a prominent part in the distribution of these posters, especially to British Legion branches, Working Men’s Clubs, Y.M.C.A., Cinemas, Theatres and Music Halls. Arrangements have also been made to place these posters in trams, buses, and motor-coaches as well as at aerodromes and in commercial aeroplanes. Sir John Reith is anxious to enlist the help of all organ i sat ions and who have not "been approached will he able to any obtain the posters by applying to Room 162, Ministry of Information. MINISTRY OF INFORMATION. There are posters for general display for display - in sea-port towns - and posters specially designed for club and other indoor display. A warning notice which will be widely exhibited makes the following point ’’Thousands of lives were lost in the last war because valuable information was given away to the enemy through ” careless talk. Another poster emphasises this warning by the picture of a sinking ship with the caption ”A few careless words may end in THIS”. It is interesting that this has been designed by Norman Wilkinson, who did so much work on camouflage to help protect our ships against the submarine in the last war. A special poster has been designed for exhibition in munition, aircraft and other factories carrying out Government work and bears the following injunction:- You know more than other people* You are in a position of trust* Don’t. let the fighting forces down. A few careless words may give something away that will help the enemy and cost us lives. Above all he careful what you say to strangers and in public* " All these posters are as serious in nature as the subject with which they are concerned, but our people respond to humour, sometimes more than to serious injunctions* For that reason, ’’Fougasse” so well known as an illustrator has been asked to help in this campaign by producing a number of Anti-gossip posters in colour. Post Offices and telephone kiosks. Underground railway stations, hotels, public houses and restaurants, factories and A«R*P. posts, barbers’ shops and billiard rooms, clubs and village halls, golf clubs and shops mercantile marine offices and cross-channel steamers indeed in every place where men and women meet there will be a poster warning all of the danger of careless talk* The British Legion will be asked to take a prominent part in the distribution of these posters, especially to British Legion branches, Working Men's Clubs, Y. M. C.A. Cinemas, , Theatres and Music Halls. Arrangements have also been made to place these posters in trams, buses, and motor-coaches as well as at aerodromes and in commercial aeroplanes. Sir John Reith is anxious to enlist the help of all organ isations and any who have not been approached will he able to obtain the posters by applying to Room 162, Ministry of Information. MINISTRY OF INFORMATION. The notes in this Service relating to the new Agricultural Bill were prepared prior to the Second Reading and Editors are requested to confirm before publication that Second Reading was passed in the House of Commons to-night, 6th February, 1940. 6TH FEBRUARY, 1940. NO. 7, MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE WEEKLY NEWS SERVICE NO 22 6 , GROW-MORE-FOOD BILL. Credit, Drainage Grants and Better prices. its The new agricultural Bill, that passed through second reading in the House of Commons (Tuesday) enjoys the title of "Agriculture (Miscellaneous War provisions) Bill", but it is not just a collection of odds and ends. It contains a number of measures of considerable importance to farmers: some of the provisions may in fact transform the face of many of the neglected parts of the countryside. One of these is the provision of services and equipment to enable those farmers who at the moment have not the necessary cash and cannot obtain the necessary credit to undertake the extra production their country now demands from them. Favourable prices and a guaranteed market will do much to strengthen the basis for credit through the usual channels. Credit through the hanks is the most desirable method. But there will be a number of cases (for example where the farmer, in a small way of business, has no banking account or where the merchant is limiting normal supplies of credit), in which the interests of food production will make it desirable to provide the farmer with the means for playing his part in the campaign. This of the Bill permits the Minister part to'put into operation a scheme for the provision of goods and services to assist farmers who need them. The Minister will act through the War Executive in this Agricultural Committees matter, and arrangements will he made for a settling up after the farmer has received for his produce. payment Interest will of course he charged at the usual rates. 1 OATS, BARLEY AND RYE. Enconn'd era-mat to Production. Before the war, wo wore almost self-supporting in oats and the 1939 Agricultural Development Act therefore aimed at avoiding over-production of oats by granting a lower rate of subsidy if deficiency payments for wheat were claimed. To-day oats must replace some of the feeding stuffs we used to import and there is no danger of over-production. Parliamentary authority is being sought to enable those who claim deficiency payments for wheat to obtain as well the higher rate of oats subsidy, if the level of market prices in so low as to bring the subsidy provisions into operation, and to remove the limits to the acreages of oats or of barley for which the full subsidy would in those circumstances be paid. Rye is a useful crop on light soils where other cereals are often risky to attempt. It has been announced that rye will he eligible for the same price guarantee as oats; and if any subsidy is payable it will depend upon the price of oats, because there are no satisfactory returns for rye prices on which to base any separate figure. Oats, it will be remembered, are guaranteed a minimum that works out at 9/- per cwt. for an average crop. The effect of encouraging rye should be to increase supplies of home- grown feeding stuffs and use some of our lighter soils to better advantage. The Bill will give statutory effect to these proposals. WHEAT AND PLOUGHING- GRANT, Standard Price Now 11/- Per Cwt; Better Grass. The new Bill fulfils Sir Reginald Dorman-Smith 's promise to ask Parliament to increase the standard price of the wheat crop harvested in 1939 in order to help farmers finance their 194-0 crop. It provides for the standard price to be raised to 11/- per cwt. It also protects farmers against loss from drastic changes in the market price of wheat which is now 2 coatrolled by the Ministry of Deed and may have to b© changed from time to time. Last August, for example, wheat was about 4/3d. per cwt; on 9th September it become 5/4d., and since then it has risen to 7/-. Under the old method of estimating the average wheat price over the whole year for the purposes of arriving at the deficiency payment figure, farmers who sold their wheat early would he penalised compared with those who arc selling now. Therefore there will now he shorter accounting periods, coinciding with periods when there is no marked change in the wheat price, and this will prevent any inequality of deficiency payment* The Bill provides for a progressive extension by Order, as the situation demands, if the dates up to which the £2 per acre ploughing grant will be payable. It also takes account of the fact that there is some grassland that would not yield a very satisfactory arable crop but would produce more food if it were ploughed up and re-seeded so as to carry more stock. Such land will become eligible for the £2 grant, subject, of course, to approval by the War Agricultural Committees. RECLAIMING LoST ACRES More Scope for Land Drainage. New measures with regard to land drainage should add considerably to Britain’s capacity to produce food. Recent Acts have done much to straighten out a tangle of legislation that went hack to Henry VIII (some of it even to Magna Carta*) They now enable most of the necessary drainage work to he done, hut there were still a few instances which experience has shown to need further attention, at least from the point of view of wartime food production. There are minor rivers and watercourses where the Catchment Board has no executive power to get work done and no internal drainage hoard exists to do it. County Councils, often without drainage experts on their staffs with many other tasks, have in some cases found it impossible to carry out the drainage powers vested in thorn. 3 The new legislation? broadly speaking gives the Catchment Board power to undertake drainage work, where thejrW is other drainage authority its whole and, no throughout area if need be? in adjacent counties? instead of being confined as heretofore to works connected with the arterial rivers# Where there is an Internal Drainage Board, the Catchment Board cannot do the actual work but it has the duty of seeing that this work is done* The Catchment Boards can thus take over the work of draining and re-conditioning minor watercourses for which county councils have been responsible, and will, with the consent of the local authorities concerned, be enabled to undertake work outside their own area* The Government will pay 50 per cent of the cost of each drainage scheme and the remainder will be paid by the landowners concerned, who may distribute these capital payments over a maximum limit of 5 years in equal annual instalments. It is estimated that there' are over 200,000 acres of band urgently in need of land drainage for which there is no drainage authority at all or none but a Catchment Board*. In these instances the Board would previously take no action because it is a question of minor drainage work and before this Bill the Board could only undertake work on its"main river*" If the County Councils were unable to act? it meant that this land could not be drained at all* Many thousands of acres of land are in need of mole- drainage to put them into good heart and in such cases also the Government will hear 50 per cent of the cost? the remainder being paid by the occupier. The total cost of mole-drainage is estimated at from 15/- to £3 per acre and the Government's contribution is limited to £1 per acre* Uncultivated Land*. For want of drainage, "but for various other reasons also? there are many thousands of once fertile acres that have 4 gone out o.f cultivation* The nation certainly cannot afford to have derelict in wartime* acres The County War Agricultural.. Executive Committeas already have to take of powers possession such land with the Minister*s consent as well as land that is not being cultivated in accordance with the rules of good husbandry* The Committees may find a suitable tenant in these instances or they may farm the land under their own direction# But considerable expenditure may be needed to bring land of this class back into proper use and no tenant would be very eager to come forward if he felt that he might have to vacate the land just as his labours were likely to be rewarded. Nor would it be right that the state be the should deprived of opportunity of recouping the expenditure made on its behalf.- The County Committees, therefore, will be empowered to retain possession of such land for a period up to three years after the end of the war. When the land is given up, the owner can be called upon to a sum equal to the improvement in the land’s value as a result of the money spent in farming it* Another useful in the Bill is that will provision one enable owners of land is not now used for agricultural is not let under ordinary agricultural contract, purposes, or an to be let for arable cultivation for a period up to four years without entailing any obligation on the owner to pay compensation for disturbance or improvements at the end of the letting* The for his be free to the land without fear tenant part will crop of a claim for "dilapidations’*. MORE FEED PROM FARMS. Taking the Silo to the Crop. Ensilage is coming into its own as an aid to solving the feeding problems of stock farmers# The practical results obtained in this direction by two Dorsetshire farmers, Messrs* C*G* Purchase and R.S. Vine of Little Canford, are worth putting on record*. 5 They began ensilage in 1938. In the full year 1938-39, without additional labour or any upsetting of their farm routine, they were able to make the same 173 acres of grassland produce extra home-grown foods equivalent in feeding value to 30 tons of dairy cake, worth over £240 at pre-war price. This was achieved by making silage out of surplus summer grass, that would otherwise have gone to waste, and from the rich young grass of late autumn - a total of 140 tons. They used the molasses method with a portable silo equipment that can be bought even to-day for £25. Its mobility adds to its economy, for it is obviously cheaper to take the silo to the crop than the crop to the silo. The molasses (ordinary feeding treacle diluted with 50 per cent, water) are sprayed or watered on the grass, which is packed into the silo load by load, at the rate of roughly 30 lb. solution per ton of grass. The smaller silos hold about 20 tons. Messrs. Purchase and Vine estimate the over-all cost of silage at 10/- per ton excluding rent and fertilisers. They have found that silage-making has many advantages# It can be done in any weather fit for men to work out of doors# It has improved their pastures and the health of their herd. It has made them more independent and saved them money# They still feed a little cake in their rations, but they are confident that in any emergency they c ould rely entirely upon silage. THE COTTAGER’S PIG Yorkshire Shows The Wa, Yorkshire has prided itself on its pig-keeping since the day when Joseph Tuley and his wife starved themselves that their pig might live in luxury* Thus this humble Keighley weaver founded the famous Large White breed, ninety years ago. But Mrs. A.P.A. Shaw of Sutton-on-the-Forest, York, has been showing that it is neither necessary to starve oneself or the pig to produce pork or bacon from the residue of the householdo 6 11 1 have always kept pigs on scraps from the house and garden refuse surplus”, she writes, ”anc! found them an economical proposition. I usually get from two to four stores and keep them from eight to twelve months without any meal. Then the local butcher buys them at about £4 to £4.15.0 each, a profit of over 100 per cent.” "When I was in charge of a hospital during the last war I carried out the same procedure. The soldiers looked after them and often won prizes at the local mart." LIQUID MANURE Natural Fertiliser too Valuable to Waste Much of the liquid manure produced on our farms is destined, by modern drainage, for the sea. Yet it is one of the finest of all top-dressings for kale and other quick-growing crops, it promotes an early bite of grass, and is highly beneficial to arable land. Liquid manure is also particularly rich in potash, a fertiliser not now so easily obtainable in artificial form as at normal times. Next to its potash-creating efficiency comes its richness in nitrogen. But it does not contain must phosphate. Less use is made of it in this country than on the Continent, largely on account of the general inconvenience of applying it at the right time, to its demands on labour and to the expense of liquid manure tanks and distributing carts. But its importance, especially in war-time, is so great that it is worth making any possible effort to overcome these difficulties. Undiluted, it is too strong for direct application to grassland; it should be mixed with about an equal volume of water* Even so, to prevent scorching of the herbage it is safer to apply it in showery weather - about 2,000 gallons of the diluted mixture per acre* If the grass thus treated is not eaten down but left for hay, rather coarse herbage will result unless a proper balance is achieved by the addition of slag or superphosphate. 7 It could be used far more frequently than it is on arable land, particularly on bare land, intended for roots or leafy green crops. Dilution is less necessary in this case. FORESTRY PROBLEMS 'What tp 11.1 ant„- Larch Comes Into Its Own There are fashions in trees as well as in women 1 s clothes. The last century witnessed the not very successful attempt to grow oak in mixture with Scots pine. About 30 years ago Douglas fir was introduced from America. It showed a rapid rate of growth and attained an exceptional volume per acre. It was thought to be the solution to everyone's problem, and was widely planted ©n all types of soil. how that more is known about the species, it is relegated to stiff soil's only, and avoided if a pheasant covert is the aim. More recently larch has come into favour, and the tendency is still to plant it regardless of soil suitability. Undoubtedly a very valuable species, attaining a greater value per acre than other conifers, it produces thinnings of use for fencing, pergola work and pitprops. Larch is one of the most particular species so far as soil is concerned. The European variety is suited only to a sandy loam of the type that carries \ \ lush bracken, or to a heavier loam if of agricultural quality. The Japanese larch has a wider soil range, though it is an inferior tree. It is suited to the 1ighter soils, where heather is mixed with the bracken, and to heavier soils, where brambles intrude. To-day we hear much about the hybrid larch, secured by a cross between the two species. little is known of the soil requirements of this new type, nor has one been brought to the Saw, The probability is-that it is an intermediate form, and certainly it is not safe to assume, as is said in some quarters, that it is the only forest tree worth planting to-day. 8 6/2/40 No, 8. ULSTER'S INDUSTRIAL SWITCH-OVER "Our resources, unimpaired, are already in action and are being developed to the full in furthering the effort in which the United Kingdom and Umpire are engaged”, declares Hr. J. Milne Barbour, (Northern Ireland Minister of Commerce) in the annual Northern Ireland trade review. ’’Under the rule of war our national life is he states, "The time is undergoing a far-reaching change”, the linen to the past when, for example, industry could look home market for consumers of its goods. Now we are obliged to renounce that market in favour of work on Government requirements and the development of the export trade. "Reluctantly we have had to suspend many of our activities devoted to developing new aspects of the industrial life of Northern Ireland, But we have found some compensation in the demand for certain types of war- time products which the Province is especially suited to supply„ The establishment by the Ministry of Supply of a Northern Ireland Area Organisation is a welcome sign of the importance attached to our efforts. "Our productive capacity is still as great as ever and our people are willing and eager" * EMPIRE Affairs 6/2/40 - No.9. BUILDING SOCIETIES. AMENDING THE LAW IN NORTHERN IRELAND. The Building Societies Bill which will come before the Northern Ireland House of Commons for second reading on February 13th. is intended to bring the lav/ relating to , building societies in Northern Ireland in line with the law in Great Britain. It deals with such matters as the security taken for advances by building societies, the payment of commissions in connection with the business of those societies, and the liability of persons concerned in building society administration. A schedule to the Bill sets out seven classes of additional security which may he taken into account in determining the amount of advances to members,, The Bill contains provisions substantially similar to those contained in the Act of 1939 passed by the Imperial Parliament, If the Bill is passed it will come into operation on July 1st, 1940, and the law governing Building societies, and also the powers of such societies, will then he substantially uniform over the United Kingdom. EMPIRE AFFAIRS. The Secretary to the Ministry of Transport makes the following announcement Road Vehicles ; New Registrations. The numher of mechanically-propelled road vehicles registered for the first time in Great Britain during the month of Decemher 1939 was 9,595 compared with 35,181 in December 1938. The figures for the several classes were Description. 1939 1938 Cars taxed on horse-power Exc. Not exc. 10 H.P. 3,404 16,985 " 10 15 1,045 6,538 " 15 20 126 1,317 20 25 " 36 604 " 25 30 42 405 " 30 - 15 168 Miscellaneous - 1 Total 4,668 26,018 Cycles 707 2,178 Hackneys Exc. Not exc. 8 seats. 41 267 8 40 " 37 77 40 " 116 255 Total 194 5 77 Tractors Agricultural 17 6 5 Showmen s - Other 16 14 Total gg '""”20 Agricultural Engines (5/- class) , 652 17'5 Exempt Government owned 295 510 Other 131 99_ Total 426 609 Goods Agricultural Vans and Lorries 31 89 5 Showmen s Special Vehicles Local Authorities 10 11 (Watering and Cleansing) Other Goods Vehicles ’Weight Unladen. Exc. Not exc. 12 cwtSr 491 1,055 12 cwts. 2-g- tons. 2,058 4,099 2-g- tons. 5 261 307 " 5 34 43 Total A Other Goods Vehicles. 2,844 5,504 Grand Total*. 9,595 35,181 Ministry of Transport, Metropole Buildings, Northumberland Avenue, London, W.C.2* 6th February, 1940. { c/ c \ _L. t-V ) The War Office, London, S.W.1. 6th 1940. February, The War Office announces that His Majesty The King has been graciously pleased to approve of the undermentioned awards for gallant and distinguished services in action in connection with recent operations The Military Cross Captain Francis Peter Barclay, The Royal Norfolk Regiment. The Military Medal. Lance-Corporal Herbert Arthur Davis, The Royal Norfolk Regiment. Captain Francis Peter Barclay was awarded the Military Cross for conspicuous gallantry and coolness when acting as patrol leader on night patrol. Captain Barclay led his patrol far into the enemy lines, and secured valuable information. His patrol entered, and a house; and then continued the reconnaissance as far as an embankment. On their return, the patrol, fired at by the enemy, took cover in a ditch. Captain Barclay, realising that the enemy were working round the flanks of his patrol, which had exhausted its bombs and ammunition, withdrew it, under fire, but without loss, to our lines. Herbert Arthur Davis awarded the Military Medal Lance-Corporal was for conspicuous bravery and coolness when on night patrol. Lance-Corporal Davis assisted the leader of his patrol to search a house. Later, when the patrol came under enemy fire, he displayed great determination, and indifference to danger, thereby setting a fine example to the rest of the patrol. 6/2/40 - No 12. GOLD COAST "MAMMIE" SOLVES THE WAR PROBLEM. HITLER NEEDS A MUSICAL BOX. "If Hitler had had a wife, piccins, and a musical war’% mammie" if box there would have been no declared a tending a stall in the market of Tarkwa, the chief centre of the rich gold-fields of the Western Province of the Gold Coast. This is Her simple solution of Europe’s war problems. EMPIRE AFFAIRS, The War Office, London 9 S 0 W. 1. 6th February, 1940. EMPLOYMENT OF RESERVE OFFICER PERSONNEL. The War Office makes the following announcement regarding the situation of Reserve Officers with reasons for the delay in notifying individuals as to their prospect of future employment. Broadly speaking the position is as follows Regular Army Reserve of Officers:- All officers whose services are likely to be required within six months have been notified. Territorial Army Reserve Officers 2 - Infantry Officers: Nearly all whose services are lively to be required within six months have been notified. Other Arms (except Royal Artillery).; All notified with a few exceptions. Royal Artillery: Twenty five per qent already notified, Another fifty per cent may expect to receive their notification within the next few days. Army Officers Emergency Reserve:- It is this category which has been the last for interview by the boards and in regard to which complaints have recently appeared regarding clarification of their position. It must be remembered that membership of O.E.R. is extremely large and the members presenting themselves before the boards have been correspondingly numerous. Nevertheless, seventy five per cent of .the total already examined and Interviewed have been reported on and it has been necessary for the boards to complete their reports before members can be re-divisioned into their respective classes as follows (1 ) Likely to be required within 1 months* (2) »» n it ti it g ti (3) Unlikely to be required for over 6 months, if at all. This / This is an enormous task, and one which is being carried out fully and with great care in fairness to all concerned* It must be remembered that although the number who might be classed in the highest group may be high, the number of anticipated vacancies occurring within three months may be small. Therefore, if letters were sent out immediately the report of a board was received, the vacanies in the highest group would quickly be filled, possibly at the exxoense of as good or better men, whose interview was conducted at a later date. When all boards have finally reported, there should be little delay in the issue of letters. Extra staff has been provided to accelerate action. 6/2/40* - No. 14. FEES FOR RENEWAL OF LOST RATION BOOKS, ETC, The Minister of Food announces that under the Food Documents (Pees) Order, which comes into force at once, a fee of one shilling will he charged for replacing a ration hook, ration card or other ration document that has been defaced, destroyed or lost. In the case of a licence to sell by retail or a certificate of registration of an establishment, the fee for replacement will he ten shillings and sixpence. Local Food Control Committees to whom application for replacement should he made have power in a case of hardship to remit the fee in whole or in part. MINISTRY OF FOOD Press Notice. ■WALTHAM ABBEY WORKERS HONOURED. H.M. the King has approved the grant of the medal of the Order of the British Empire, Civil Division, for Gallantry (E.G.M.) to • - Leo Francis o’Hagen Stanley William Sewell William George Sylvester explosive workers (first grade), Royal Gunpowder Factory, Waltham Abbey, Essex. Following announcement of the awards in the London Gazette, tonight (6th February, 1940) an official statement from the Ministry of Supply, where the men were received and congratulated by the Minister, Mr. Leslie Burgin, said: Although they might have sought safety for themselves, the three men honoured by H.M. the King remained steadfastly at their posts, within a short distance of the centre of the explosion at the Royal Gunpowder Factory, Waltham Abbey, on January 18th., and continued determinedly with work which exposed them to acute danger for some hours. At the time of the explosion, Mr. W.G. Sylvester was engaged in the work of purifying nitroglycerine in a washing house within 100 yards of the centre of the explosion. Half the roof and the greater part of the walls of the washing house wore torn away by the force of the explosion. Hot water and air services, essential to safe completion of the process in which he was engaged, were cut off. More than a ton of nitroglycerine was exposed to the possibility of freezing and detonation. Aware of the danger,. Mr. Sylvester continued at work until hot water and air services were restored, the whole charge was processed and the nitroglycerine was brought to a safe, stable condition. Messrs. L, O’Hagen and S.W. Sewell were engaged, in a building 150 yards from the centre of the explosion, on the nitration of glycerine - a critical stage in the process of manufacture. . again, the building in which the men worked was seriously damaged and hot water and air services were cut off. More than 1,000 lbs of nitroglycerine were under process and in a dangerous state of instability. These men, too, remained at their posts until services were restored, and work on the charge was safely completed. Mr. Sylvester is 25 years of age. He entered the Factory 3 years ago. Mr. O’Hagen is 25 and entered the Factory in June 1936. Mr. Sewell, who is 33s has been employed at the Factory since April 1936. All three men live at Enfield. By discipline and determination, these their courage, three unquestionably men prevented the explosion from spreading and saved alike destruction of buildings -with vital stores and the lives of their fellow workers. A letter to each of the three men from Mr. Burgin saysx- "I am very happy to be able to congratulate you on the award of the Medal of the Order of the British Empire for Gallantry (the Empire Gallantry Medal) which the King has conferred on you for the part which played you in the recent unfortunate explosion at the Royal Gunpowder Factory? Waltham Abbey. "As the Minister responsible for the Royal Ordnance Factories? I should like to express my personal appreciation of your gallantry and devotion to duty? and it gives me great pleasure that His Majesty has so signally recognised your action in granting this high award.” Ministry of Supply? Press Office? Adelphi, W,C*2. 6 February. 1940* RELEASED FOR PUBLICATION AFTER 9.30 P.M. 6/2/40 - No*l7* ON TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 6 1940. MEM TO SUB-EDITORS 5 AS THIS SCRIPT IS BEING ISSUED IN IT IS ADVANCE, NECESSARY TO CHECK IT AGAINST THE ACTUAL BROADCAST IN THE 8.8.C. HOME SERVICE (391 or 449 METRES) AT 9.15 p.m. THIS (TUESDAY) EVENING. THE NEW ZEALAND CENTENNIAL: AN EXCHANGE OF GREETINGS BETWEEN THE PRIME MINISTER OF NEW ZEALAND, the Rt.HON.M.J. SAVAGE, and the Rt.HON.ANTHONY EDEN, SECRETARY OF STATE FOR DOMINION AFFAIRS. THE NEW ZEALAND CENTENNIAL Rt. Hon. One hundred years ago New Zealand became a British Settle- M.J.Savage ment organised colonisation began. and Today it is a self- governing dominion, as closaly attached to the Motherland as glad of this to greet the people ever before. I am opportunity of United Kingdom and to tell them something about the the celebrations of Hew Zealand’s first century of organised settle- ment. We are pleased that others are joining us in commemorating the achievements of our first hundred years, and in particular that His Majesty’s Government in the United Kingdom has been kind enough to send so distinguished a representative as the Marquess of Willingdon. We in New Zealand know how much Lord Willingdon has done in an active career to promote the interests of the Dominions and to strengthen the bonds of unity throughout the British Commonwealth of Nations. I may also mention that the British Government is playing an effective part at the New Zealand Centennial Exhibition in Wellington. There it had a magnificent display, centering around the history and progress of British transport in all phases throughout the King’s realms and is proving an inspiration to our people. Some full understanding of the may recall, though with circumstances, that a hundred years ago the British Government did not greatly want to annex New Zealand, but they were some- what hurried into this action by several weighty factors; these included, of course, the determination of that great colonial reformer, Edward Gibbon Wakefield and his associates,to colonise the country on a systematic plan. The British Government accordingly commissioned Captain William Robson, Royal Navy, to proclaim British sovereignty over the whole of New Zealand, or over any part of it, but only with the consent of the Maoris. So on February the 6th, 1840, one hundred years ago, the first Maori chiefs signed the Treaty of Waitangi at the Bay of Islands. On that historic occasion the welfare of the native race in New Zealand was the spirit and aim of British policy; today, the wefare of the Maori is no whit behind that of any other citizen. The Treaty of Waitangi has always been regarded as the Charter of the Maori Race; certainly the treaty did not prevent wars between the Europeans and some of the Maori tribes. Those conflicts represented temporary friction, but, and this is what really matters, the wounds of either side did not fester, and they have healed long ago. Today the principles of the Treaty are honoured, both in the spirit and in the letter of the pact. The Maori is equal with the European, enjoys full political rights, sits in Parliament, and has sat in the Cabinet; he is eligible for all professions, and he plays games with the Pakeha, as the European has always been called. The Maori’s loyalty to the British throne is staunch; he fought side by side with his white brother in the World War and is enlisting eagerly for service in the present conflict. So this year in New Zealand we celebrate the centennial of annexation by consent of the native population, of the establishment of British Government, and of the beginning of organised settlement. Now the organisation of our earliest settlement was not without its hazardous aspect. For the New Zealand Company despatched settlers to New Zealand before it had the assurance that it could obtain land or that British sovereignty would be proclaimed, These adventurous, hardy men and women embarked on the voyage of twelve thousand miles in small ships, bound for a future that for sober folk v/as full of uncertainty and danger; but this rashness vras justified by events. Difficulties there certainly were, but these presented themselves as obstacles to be surmounted with all possible speed. The settlements founded by the company and those which bore the impress of its ideas rapidly grew in prosperity,- Wellington, Nelson, Taranaki, Otago, Canterbury, From these and other separate isolated communities a ration has been built* There are over one million, six hundred thousand European New Zealanders, and nearly ninety thousand Maoris, The country has a record of material achievement, of which it may well be proud; it exports in one year goods worth approximately sixty million pounds. New Zealanders have built roads and railroads all over the country; they have established secondary industries alongside the primary industry of pastoral and agricultural production; they have provided education for everybody, and have enacted a large growing body of social and industrial legislation, designed to protect wage-earners and to raise the standard of living, to open the doors of opportunity and generally to counteract the effect of personal misfortune and social economic inequality, New Zealand is developing a culture of its own, influenced, undoubtedly, by Maori history and lore. It proved its nationhood when it sent more than one hundred thousand soldiers toserve in the World War of 1914-18, and today again it is in arms side by side with the Mother Country. We New Zealanders look back therefore to 1840 with feelings of pride and gratitude. What was done in 1840 has moulded our history, It was decided then that New Zealand should be a British country, and New Zealand has remained, not only a British Dominion but overwhelmingly British in origin and sentiment. We are British in family, in political practice and constitution, in literary associations and in ways of life and thought; but we believe, that, while this tie with Britain does not weaken as the years pass, we are building up in this most remote of Dominions our own political, social and economic ideals, and we are erecting within the family, a nation with a mind, a culture and a heritage of its own. On this our hundredth birthday, bound by this double allegiance, we greet Britain, our Motherland and the Mother of Nations. In reply, Mr* Anthony Eden, the Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs, said:- I am grateful to the Prime Minister of New Zealand for the generous message of greeting which he has just sent us e , It is my privilege to express to you in return, on behalf of His Majesty’s Government and of the people of this country, our warmest congratulations and good wishes on the occasion of the Centenary Celebrations of New Zealand. In times of peace many visitors would have come to you in New Zealand from this country and from elsewhere in the Commonwealth to British join in your celebrations, and as Dominions Secretary I had hoped to come myself* War has made that impossible, but we are honoured that Lord Willingdon should have consented to add one more chapter to his great record of Empire service in undertaking a long journey by air in order to be with you and to represent the Government and people of Great Britain* New Zealand is always sure of a special place in the affection and admiration of us all here at home-.. But to-day that affection and admiration have become visible links that unite us when for the second time in a quarter of a century we are facing together the challenge of an aggressor and the perils of war. In this struggle in which we are engaged together, vie are not fighting to gain either territory or wealth, but to win for nations everywhere the possibility of true progress in freedom of mind and spirit* If the Nazi system were to triumph, the liberties of every nation would be in jeopardy* Nowhere will this be better understood than in New Zealand* When we look back on the hundred years of the Dominion* s history we can see plainly from her own happy and successful experience that without such freedom there can be no enduring peace, and, indeed, no enduring life, either for nations or individuals. That is why, at the outbreak of war, there was no doubt in the mind of the people of New Zealand. They understood, as from their own history and tradition they were certain to do, that war had been declared because there was no alternative if the world was to be freed from the ultimate domination of evilo Our enemies have been active in propaganda and fertile in confident suggestions that with the outbreak of war the British Commonwealth would collapse in ruin* The links that bound together us seemed to them so frail that a crisis, they thought, must finally burst ? them They didn t understand that in our greater freedom lay our greater strengths The truth is, of course, that the British Commonwealth, which is essentially an association of free peoples, is the very antithesis of the Nazi system and its aim of world domination. Free co-operation and not forced subjection is our method* That is why the unity of British Empire the at this hour is of such immense significance in world history, for that unity has brought us not only material aid, but spiritual strength also,, As Robert Bridges expressed it so well twenty-five years ago:- "That fairest’earthly fame, the fame of Freedom, is .inseparable from the names of Albion, Britain, it has out to America and England: gone the Antipodes, hallowing the names of Canada, Australia/ and New it has found Australia, Zealand: a new home in Africa: and this heritage is our glory and happiness*” Those words are as true to-day as when they and in their truth is the of ultimate were written, assurance victory. At this moment, when the thoughts of the people of this countrjr turn to New Zealand with affection and pride, those feelings are enhanced by our gratitude for the great contribution that New Zealand is making to the war effort of the Allies. At the very outset tue New Zealand Government placed at the disposal of the Admiralty HoM*S* "Achilles”, of the New Zealand Division of the Royal Navy* No need for me to try to describe to you to-night the gallant part she played in the battle with the "Graf Spec'"* On land New Zealand is making a parallel effort. The first echelon of about 7?000 men which has been raised, for service overseas has already completed its training and. is now ready to take up its duties any theatre of war where its in presence may be needed* Further echelons are being trained to follow on. At the outbreak of war the New Zealand Government offered to place at our disposal all officers and men of the Royal New Zealand Air Force who were in this country, and also bombers of the latest type which were due to be delivered from this country to New Zealand* We accepted, this offer with gratitude, and a New Zealand squadron is no?/ in process of being formed here* New Zealand is playing a notable part in the vast Empire Air Training Scheme by undertaking the training of a large number of pilots, observers and air gunners* It is an immense encouragement to us also to hear that the Royal New Zealand Air Force is already over four times its peace-time strength, and we know that this remarkable expansion is only beginning* a It is i n deed expected that within fifteen months air personnel in New Zealand will again have been doubled and the number of New Zealand airmen serving overseas will have been nearly trebled. Here is indeed splendid practical proof of New Zealand’s realization of the immensity of the effort needed to bring victory. It is also a measure of her convintion of the justice of the Allies’ cause* Nor is this all. In the ranks of our existing Air Force are many pilots from overseas and we shared the pride that New Zealand must have felt at the achievements of her pilots when we heard that two of the first members of the Royal Air Force to be decorated during the war were New Zealanders, In this as in so many other spheres New Zealand has already shown by the valour of her sons that she is building a future greater even than her past has been* Let me again, on "behalf of this country, thank the Prime Ilinister of New Zealand for his message of greeting* The people of New Zealand may "be sure that our congratulations on their Centenary are heartfelt and sincere. With them go our best wishes for their happiness and our prayers that they may he sustained in the trials which are inseparable from the great task to which together we have set our hands, 6/2/40 ~ No. 18» HOT TO BE PUBLISHED BEFORE THE MORNING PAPERS OP WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 7th* NOT TO BE ISSUED ON CLUB TAPES, OR BROADCAST BEFORE 7 a.nu ON FEBRUARY 7tho WITH THE INDIANS IN PRANCE. Within a couple of miles of the British Army's front lines three hundred turbaned Indians and the 400 army mules they brought from the Punjab are toiling to bolster the cobbled roads for real wartime traffic. In the cold spell just past the Punjabi Wore the woollen cap- comforter of khaki, the regular army issue in India and next thing to the French-Canadian toque* But now they are back again to the trim turbans they call- pagris - each made of nine yards of khaki cloth. These hardy soldiers can stand the cold, for the temperature is as extreme in the Punjab as in the north of Prance, but in idle moments they crowd chattering around their camp fires just as working tommies steal moments to crowd around a gleaming brazier* The mules and their 3.32 all-metal carts are used for hauling cement, sandbags, gun ammunition and ammunition boxes and all sorts of trench stores. They are just the thing for packing brush-wood used for revetting tranches and anti-tank ditches. The carts came all the way from India, knocked down. They are two-wheeled affairs which fold up like a collapsible go-cart, hut can carry a burden of almost half-a-ton. The mules may he used for packing as well a hauling to save the use of motor transport on smaller tasks which scarcely justify the gasoline. Their pack saddles fitted necessary expenditure of are with a swivel attachment which may he connected with the wagon-pole of the two-mule cart. "We have no trouble at all over the fact that these troops virtually all do NOT understand English", said the English major of the Royal Indian Army Service Corps who is in charge, "They are extremely clever at picking up ideas, and once they become acquainted with the various points and the general location of this part of the. country, they will be quite at home". By coincidence there are a number of officers in this area who have served for many years in the Indian but actually there only two and Army, are British officers one British warrant officer in the Indian mule company. Six officers are native Indians one of whom, Risaldar Muhd. > in France in Hussain, was the last war, coming out as a Sepoy in 1914* The Punjabi are Mohammedan and they brought their own padre or maulvi. They brought along also a supply of atta, or coarse- ground oatmeal from which they make ehupattis, leather-like biscuits somewhat in the shape of pancakes. They cover these with turkhari, a highly-spiced stew of vegetables and meats. The only meat these Mohammedans eat is goat or sheep, though the French variety is not banned. When this correspondent visited the muleteers a lonely, sad-looking sheep was tethered in the corner of a barn looking much like a fat turkey on Thanksgiving eve. The Indians brought their own butcher to kill the meat with a short ceremony called Halal. Five times a day prayer is held and between times the Punjabi bustle about as if they figured a German attack might be making for the morrow• They seem always busy except in those luxurious moments when they pause for a "drag* at the ever-smoking hookah or water-pipe kept available day and night. EMPIRE AFFAIRS