19/1/40. No-1. FRENCH OFFICIAL COMMUNIQUE (MORNING). Paris, Friday, January 19 » 1940 « The following official communique was issued this morning from French G*H*Q:- NOTHING TO REPORT* 19/1/40 - No, 3* PRESS NOTICE. M. Dautry, the French Minister of Armament, has returned to France with his Staff after discussions the the Allies with Minister of Supply regarding joint production of war supplies. Sir Robert Cahill and Mr, W.J. Benson, representing the Minister of Supply, were present when the party left Victoria Station this morning, PRESS OFFICE, MINISTRY OF SUPPLY. 19/1AO - No, THE FOLLOWING IS ISSUED BY NAVAL AFFAIRS TO THE PRESS: Some misunderstanding appears to have arisen regarding the appropriate centre for distribution of second-hand clothing intended for Royal Naval personnel. This should not he sent to the Depots for Knitted Garments, hut to the Soldiers’ and Sailors' Help Society (Incorporated), 120, Brompton Road, S.W.3* NAVAL AFFAIRS. 19/1 /40 - No. PRESS NOTICE. In reference to departure of M. Dautry (No.3) it should be mentioned that Sir R. Cahill and Mr. Benson were present at Victoria in thr the unavoidable absence of Mr. Leslie Burgin. PRESS OFFICE MINISTRY OF SUPPLY. 5 l9/1/40. - No. 6. PUTTING THE ’HIT’ IN HITLER. Hitler is getting bashed over the head by Mr. Chamberlain’s umbrella three thousand times a day in Capetown. To secure money for the Mayors’ National Fund, South Africa has invented a machine which far outstrips in popularity the ’’fruit” machines and pin-tables we have at home. It is a large electrically worked collection box surmounted by effigies of Mr. Chamberlain and Hitler, and each time a coin drops in, bang goes the umbrella on the Fuehrer’s forehead. Contact takes place on an average three thousand times daily. So successful has "been this gadget in raising cash for the Mayors’ Fund that it may he sent on tour to other centres in South Africa. EMPIRE AFFAIRS 19/1/40 - No. 7, FISH ADVISORY COMMITTEE. The Minister of ffood has appointed the undermentioned to act as members of the ffish Advisory Committee which has been set up to advise him on questions relating to the supply, distribution and prices of fish:- Chairman Mr, N. G. Loughnane Mr, W. G. Adams Mr. L. Maclean Mr, J, Bailey Mr, A. D. Macnair Mr, D. W. Beaton Mr. A. E„ Mr. J. T. Bennett Mr, P. G. W. Manville Mr, H, Blackburn Mr, G, A* Marnoch Mr,- J. W. Blower Mr. G. T. Martin Mr, J.- Bradshaw Mr. J, Miller Mr. H. L. Bullock Mr. W, P, Milne Mr. W. T. Byard Mr. R> C. McGhee Mr, H. D. Catchpole Mr. J. McLay Mr. G. Chamberlain Mr. F. Parkes Mr, F. Colam Major Pemberton Mr. A, Cowie Major P„ P. Phillips Mr. W, T. Crawley Mr. A. E. Handers on Mr. J. M. Crockett Mr. H. E. Rees Mr. H. Crowe Mr. J. Richards Mr. V. A. R. Davidson Mr. A. Robertson Major H. S. Dawson Mr. F. W. Robinson Mr. T. L. Devlin Col. C. A. Roosmalecocq. Mr. A. T. A. Dobson Sir Ernest Sleight Mr. T. T. Dow Mr. Ben Smith Mr. P. D. H. Dunn Mr. N„ A. Suffling Mr. A. Duthie Mr. J. Tomlinson Mr, S. E. Elliott Mr o J. E. Tulip Mr. R.. Green Mr. J. Vincent Mr, A..M, Hailstones Mr® W. J. Wardle Mr, G, Hall Mr, W. Waters Mr.. D, Hillman Mr© J® Webb Mr, S, G* Hillyer Mr. R, White Mr.. G. Hogarth Mr. H® Wight Sir Andrew Lewis Mr. H. Youngman Mr, A. Ml Lowe The Minister took the Chair at the first meeting of the Committee yesterday. In welcoming the members of the Committee, the Minister made reference to the courage displayed by fishermen under unexampled conditions of difficulty and danger, and expressed sympathy with them and with the relatives of those who had lost their lives. He also expressed his confidence in the ability of the Committee to afford valuable assistance to the Ministry in the solution of the difficult problems with which the industry was now confronted. MINISTRY OF FOOD, 19/1/40 - No.8. SUMMARY OP SPEECH BY MR. LESLIE BURGIN • , MINISTER OP SUPPLY, LUNCHEON, BIRMINGHAM, AT FRIDAY, JANUARY 19TH. 1940 3.3e>» Not for publication Before 4 p.m, Friday« January 19th 1940 1. The occasion of this gathering is the inauguration of the first Area Advisory Committee under the Area Organisation which is to the Ministry of Supply, the Admiralty being set up advise and the Air Ministry on local matters arising from war production. The Birmingham Committee is the first to he set up, hut others will follow immediately in other parts of the country. 2. The general lay-out of the Area Organisation is that there shall he a Co-ordinating Committee in London consisting of representatives of the Admiralty, Air Ministry, Ministry of Supply and Ministry of Labour and National Service and Area Boards in each of the areas into which the country has been divided to correspond with those of the Regional Commissioners. In most of these areas the Boards will comprise representatives of these four Departments of the State. The Area Advisory Committee will advise the Departments through the Area Board, although we are not limited to one Committee for each area. The only area in which it has at present heen decided to have more than one Committee is the area with its headquarters at Sheffield. An Area Committee for Leeds has already heen constituted hut one for Sheffield is now in process of formation. 3. I regard the formation of these Committees as a very important and helpful development, first because they are a symbol and a demonstration of the desire of the two sides of industry, employers and employees to co-operate in war production and to throw the whole weight of their organisations into the scale and, second, because I believe that local co-operation of this kind may have important practical results in promoting the efficiency of the industrial effort of the country in war. 4. I hope that through the work of the Committees local difficulties obstructive of production may he removed and output increased and I hope that they will also he instrumental in in into the stream of production of bringing war new sources supply. Just as the Agricultural industry is now engaged in grassland and bringing it under the plough, breaking up so we, as the war effort expands, must get out ploughs going in fields that have not hitherto been regarded as of first line importance. 5. On this aspect of the question, I should like to utter a word of warning. It will be a great mistake to expect sensational results to follow immediately on the enquiries that these Committees will be asked to undertake with a view to bringing small firms into war production. The position to-day, lam glad to say, is very different from that in 1914« In 1936 when the re-armament programme began in earnest, the position was comparable with that in 1914* in that very few firms had any recent experience of war production. Apart from the Ordnance Factories, the firms with direct contracts for Army ! stores could be numbered on the fingers of one s hands. The position was, however, different from 1914 in that the lessons of the war had not been ignored.and all that could be done by way of peace time planning had been done to enable the industry of the country to change from peace production to production for war. A careful survey had been made of the engineering industry and schedules had been prepared of capacity so that firms that had never done munition work, or had long abandoned it, could be brought into war production. 6. When the re-armament programme "began in 1936, it was clear that the munitions required were quite "beyond the resources of the then armament firms and the Ordnance Factories, and moreover the policy was adopted of not only providing at once the requirements necessary to make good the deficiencies of the Army, "but also of building up substantial capacity for further expansion in war. This involved spreading the orders as widely as possible, but at the same time it was not desired to interfere with the normal trade of the country and firms fully employed on normal commercial work were for that reason often left undisturbed. During the years between 1936 and the outbreak of war, a vast number of firms were given orders, the majority of whom had never previously handled war like stores. Motor car manufacturers, electrical engineering firms, garages, gramophone companies, manufacturers of textile machinery and many other types of firms were involved in production. In fact, very important steps were taken before the outbreak of this war which had not been taken until sometime after the outbreak of the last war. The result of all this is that in three years the number of firms engaged in munition work increased from a dozen or so to some 2,000 and some 400 schemes have been approved for providing balancing plant to enable firms accustomed to peace time production to adapt themselves to munition work. In the field of general stores, clothing and equipment for the Fighting Services, the number of firms with Government Contracts three years ago was approximately 600, while to-day it attains the figure of 3,000. 7. This great task of mobilising the industrial resources of the country had to be conducted with one eye upon the clock and that is even more the case to-day. It is my function as Minister of Supply to obtain the requirements of the Army with the utmost efficiency, the utmost speed and with the utmost economy compatible with these criteria. The majority of the munitions required for the modern army are difficult production jobs. Guns, mountings, ammunition, tanks and instruments are, nowadays, not work to which ordinary manufacturing plant and technique can he easily adapted. In that respect things have changed a good deal since 1914. The limits now are much finer and the material more difficult to work. The survey undertaken before the war showed us where contracts for this kind of work could be placed among firms suitably equipped and with the necessary technical staff and tool room facilities for rapid production and urgent delivery. it in the first to For these reasons was necessary, place, look mainly to the larger firms and these firms are delivering the goods to-day. 8. Both immediately before the war and since the war started, we have, nevertheless, had constantly in mind the desirability of still further spreading orders for munition production. The question of the utilisation of the available skilled v/orkers alone, makes this a prudent policy. We have tried, as far as possible, to take the work to the skilled man, rather than draw him from his present surroundings and we have also developed the system of sub-contracting to the utmost. Sub-contracting on a very large scale is now the practice in the Royal Ordnance Factories and in large contracting firms e Steps have also been taken to organise of firms to work groups together to undertake complete units of equipment, for example, 2 pdr. anti-tank carriages, 18 pdr. gun conversions and other jobs. I am sure that a great deal more can be done along these lines and that the Area Advisory Committee will help us do it. Area Officers of the Ministry of Supply have been able to help considerably in this direction; for example, we have been able to place in the Midland Area orders among smaller firms for shell and components. I may mention that, partly due to the assistance of my Area Organisation, we have been able to place in this Area orders among the smaller firms for shell, bogie assemblies for the Light Dragons, Trench Mortar Bombs, fuzes, gauges and ammunition boxes. In other districts we have given contracts for pressings for mine parts, aiming posts, aerial gear and a large quantity of machining work. In the near future I am hopeful that it will be possible to place among ths smaller firms orders for various small parts for rifles and to utilise some of the smaller foundry capacity,, I should say, here, that some of the small parts will require to be produoatf in large numbers and they will present problems in manufacture which will call for ingenuity on the part of the small engineering firms. The British Engineer has the reputation of finding the tool for the job and ¥/e know he has the will to tackle that job. 9. I am conscious that we are not setting the Area Committees an easjr task in asking them to consider the question of the utilisation of the smaller firms* On the one hand there is a demand,amounting almost to agitation, on behalf of small firms who have lost work through the war, to be given orders. These firms vary enormously from those whose peace time production and equipment makes them largely unsuitable for munitions production through those who, with some assistance and organisation could be made use of,too, to others who might very well be favourably considered as contractors or sub-contractors. Many of these firms in the first category seem to regard the Minister of Supply as a fairy godmother or Father Christmas, with pockets full of orders which they have a right to share. On the other hand, the requirements of the Army are for stores upon which the lives of our soldiers and the safety of the country and our ultimate victory depend. These are not matters in which we can take chances or base our allocation of orders upon anything but considerations of efficiency. We do not propose to place orders because of political or other pressure with people who we do not believe can deliver the goods in time. To give an important order which must be completed by a certain date and on which other far more important orders depend to a firm who, however willing may not be competent to deliver up to time, may be to sow the seeds of disaster. Therefore, I say that I am inviting the Committees to undertake no easy task and I am asking for care and patience to be devoted to their recommendations. Any proposals they make for increasing capacity will be gratefully received and carefully gone into. As it is our desire to discover and if possible use the available capacity of the smaller works groups, it is or open to any manufacturer or group of manufacturers to approach the Secretary of the Area Board with his proposition. Any joint body, federation or chamber may also approach the Board, provided the group or body is itself strictly a non-profit organisation. Our desire is to eliminate the individual who might be tempted to go round for his own pecuniary benefit pretending to have a non- existent power to influence orders from any or all the Supply Departments. 10. I have thought it necessary to utter some cautionary words, and I am sure the Advisory Committee will take them into their full consideration. A great deal of efficient production work was carried out in the last war in the most unlikely places. Conditions have changed and the amount of comparatively simple work is far less than it was in the late war but the ingenuity of the English engineer is still as great an asset as it was in 1914 and his technical efficiency is greater. I believe that when they know the kind of thing that is required, they will find the means between them to provide it. We shall do best to of our help by providing lists requirements, by c-ntinuin ■ the exhibitions which are now being held of stores required, by putting would-be sub-contractors in touch with firms now on contract to us and in every other way we can, and I shall be surprised and disappointed if means are not found to utilise a great deal of the suitable capacity in the many hundreds of small works and factories which, in the aggregate, have a large potential output. 11. And finally, I would say that while remarks which have "been made relate primarily to supply for the Army, which is my main concern, I hear that similar considerations have governed the work of the Supply and Production Departments of the Admiralty and Air Ministry, and those Departments for their part attach the greatest importance to the possibilities of local co-operation and co-ordination which the Area Committee will afford. Ministry of Supply, Press Office, Adelphi, W .C.2 19/1/40 No.l0 IMPORT LICENSING DEPARTMENT NOTICE TO IMPORTERS NO. The Board of Trade announce that they have issued an Open General Licence permitting the importation of paper white narcissi if consigned from France during the period January 20th to February 20th, 1940, inclusive. The Open General Licence permitting the import of mimosa if consigned from Prance will not apply after February 20th, 1940. Import Licensing Department, Board of Trade, 25, Southampton Buildings, Chancery Lane, London, W.C.2. 19th January, 1940. 19/1/40 - No. 11. PRESS NOTICE QUEEN ALEXANDRA’S R.N. NURSING SERVICE APPOINTMENT OP MATRON-IN-CHIEF. Miss A. Ralph, A.R.R.C., Matron, has been appointed Matron-in-Chief, Queen Alexandra’s R.N. Nursing Service, on the retirement of Miss B.M. Martin, R.R.C., to date 10th March, 1940. ADMIRALTY* 18th January, 1940. 19/1/40 - No. 12. PRESS NOTICE. W.R.N.S. - REVISED RATES OF PAY. From the date of this Order the rates of pay and allowances for Officers and ratings of the W.R.N.S. will be as follows OFFICERS Mobile. Immobile Superintendent £5OO a year £4OO a year Chief Officer £350 " " £260 " " " " " First Officer £2OO £l3O " " £llO " Second Officer £l5O " " “ £75 " Third Officer £l3O RATINGS Specialised Section Chief Wren 55.6d. a day 45.6 d. a day " 45.6 d. " P.O. Wren " 4s.Od. " Leading Wren 35.4 d, " M 25.10d. Wren Is. Bdr2s»-4d« " "Is . 4dr- 2s .Od. " " General Section Chief Wren ss.Od. a day 4s.Od. a day P.O. Wren 4s.Od. " 11 35.6 d. " " " Leading Wren ... ... 2s.lid. " " 25.5d. ,r " Wren ls.4d. " " Is.Od. Specialised Wrens will be on the lower rates for a minimum of three months before becoming eligible to be recommended for advancement to the higher rates. 2. Mobile officers and ratings will be accommodated either in quarters or in approved lodgings and will draw Naval victuals in kind or appropriate allowances according to a scale which is being promulgated separately. Where, exceptionally, accommodation cannot be provided they will receive four-fifths of the equivalent Naval provision allowance and full lodging allowance (at the annual rate for the latter in the case of officers). 3. Immobile officers and ratings will receive four-fifths of the equivalent Naval provision allowance and full lodging allowance (at the annual rate for the latter in the case of officers). 4. For purposes of the allowances, etc., referred to in this Order the following may he regarded as equivalent ranks and ratings Superintendent Commander. Chief Officer ... ... Lt.-Commander. First Officer Lieutenant. Second Officer Sub-Lieutenant. Third Officer Act. Sub-Lieutenant Chief Wren ... ... C.P.O. P.O. Wren... P.O. Leading Wren ... ... Leading Rating Wren ... .... ... A.B. and ordinary rating. /5. 5. The new rank of Third Officer and the new rating of P.O. Wren will be introduced as follows:- Existing Second Officers who are wholly employed on cyphering duties will rank as Third Officers from the date of this Order, and in future all officers will normally be entered as Third Officers. Existing Chief Wrens who are replacing C..P.O* Naval ratings will retain their present rating. Other existing Chief Wrens will rank as P*o. Wren, unless they are in administrative charge of a considerable section of Wrens; such cases are to be submitted to the Admiralty for decision. 6. Officers and ratings W.R.N.S. serving at the date of this Order may continue on existing conditions where these are more favourable than the revised rates* On promotion all officers and ratings will draw the revised rates. ADMIRALTY. 18th JANUARY. 1940. 19/1/40. - No. 13. GUNPOWDER FACTORY EXPLOSIONS» In view of statements which have appeared in the Press regarding the explosions at the Royal Gunpowder Factory at Waltham Abbey, the Home Office and Ministry of Supply wish it to be known that, on the information at present available, there is no reason to suspect that these explosions were caused by sabotage<, The whole matter is being investigated hy an official Committee of Inquiry* MINISTRY OF SUPPLY. 19/1/40 - No. 14. AN ASPIRING CANADIAN BOXER. The tallest man in No. 1 Provost Company of the Ist Canadian Division, now "somewhere in England", is a good- natured boxer from the Alberta foothills who has an eye on the Canadian army heavyweight title. Some of his comrades regard him as a possible champion of the British forces in the field. He is Lance-Corporal John Primrose, amateur heavy- weight champion of Saskatchewan for the last two years. Twenty-seven years old, he is a pupil of Constable Jimmy Couglin, once a crack amateur welterweight and middleweight. Primrose hopes that the army emphasis on recreation and exercise may mean further opportunity for training. EMPIRE AFFAIRS. 19/1/40 - Mo. 1 NOTE TO EDITORS &. ART EDITORS FROM AIR MINISTRY ROYAL AIR FORCE RECONNAISSANCE PHOTOGRAPHS It was originally proposed to allocate the first group of these photographs on the basis of three subjects for the morning newspapers of Saturday, the 20th., two for the Sunday newspapers of the and Sunday, 21st, one for the evening newspapers of Monday, the 22nd January. At the special request of the Photographic Sub- Committee of the N.P.E, C., however, a revised arrangement was made, i o e e one subject for the evening newspapers on Saturday the 20th o three for the Sunday newspapers on , Sunday, the 21st, and two for the morning newspapers of Monday, the 22nd January, In view of this it has been decided in consultation with the Chairman of the Newspaper and Periodical Emergency Council that Air Ministry Bulletin N0.327 ("Cameras over Germany") should now be available for the first publication in the morning newspapers of Monday, the 22nd January, and should not be released to Saturday or Sunday or papers, broadcast before 8 .a .m. G.M. T, on Monday next. The note to Editors which outlines Air Ministry policy regarding air photographs which accompanies the photographs, will still he available, as already arranged, for the newspapers on Saturday, the 20th January, and Sunday, the 21st January. AIR MINISTRY 19/1/40 - N0 .16. AIR MINISTRY BULLETIN. ENEMY AIRCRAFT DRIVEN OFF. The Air Ministry announces:- An enemy aircraft was attacked by Royal Air Force fighters over the sea east of Aberdeen this afternoon and driven off. AIR AFFAIRS. 190 1 c4O - No. 1 MEDICAL SERVICES IN WAR-TIME. Mr. Walter Elliot, the Minister of Health, this (Friday) morning received a deputation from the Socialist Medical Association of Great Britain. The deputation consisted of:- Mr. Somerville Hastings, F.R.C.S., L.C.C. Dr. D. Stark Murray Dr, D. de Swiet Dr, L.T. Hilliard Dr. D. Elizabeth Bunbury, with Mr. Grant McKenzie of the Labour Party, and came to discuss with the Minister a memorandum on the medical services in war time which they had recently drawn up, partly from their own experience as officers of the Emergency Medic a 1 Service. Among the points touched upon were the size of the London sectors, the selection of the group officers, the adequacy of the accommodation now available for the hospital treatment of the ordinary civilian sick, the desirability of reopening the maternity and child welfare, psychological, and other clinics, some of which had been shut down at the outbreak of war, the necessity of adequate provision for the treatment of tuberculosis, end the responsibility of insurance practitioners for the treatment of casualties after discharge from hospital. The Minister promised to look into a number of these points. Since the needs of tuberculous patients had been particularly stressed, he thought it well to repeat that if patients had been sent home on the outbreak of war when they were not fit to be sent home, that could only have arisen from a misinterpretation of the instructions issued from the Ministry. The Ministry’s desire and intention was that every tuberculous patient in need of in-patient treatment should receive it, and instructions had been given to this effect, No less than 125 tuberculosis institutions had, since the Ist November last, been released entirely from their obligations to the Emergency Medical Service so that they could devote the whole of their accommodation to their normal functions. The various associations concerned with the treatment of tuberculosis had at his invitation set up a small liaison committee to maintain contact between the various authorities concerned and the Department. More than two-thirds of the 28,000 beds provided for the treatment of tuberculosis in England and wales were still available for that purpose, and since there were about 3,000 vacant beds, he did not think that the admission of new cases should, in general, present any difficulty. MINISTRY OF HEALTH, .'w. 1 . 19/1 /kO . - Ho. 18. CANADIAN RED CROSS PREPARING FOR THE FORCES IN FRANCE A Canadian who has spent some £200,000 in Britain during the last several weeks has gone over to France to present £3OO to the French Red Cross from subscribers to the Canadian Red Cross Funds in Quebec. He is Dr. Fred W. Routley, National Commissioner of the Canadian Red Cross Society, which has collected nearly a million pounds since the war. The donation he is passing on to the French Red Cross is largely from French-speaking Canadians, and is in recognition and appreciation of the services the French authorities will be rendering to Canadian sick and wounded men. In the last war the Canadian Red Cross built a hospital for the French Army. During his time in France, before returning to Canadian Red Cross headquarters in Toronto, Dr. Routley will arrange, in co-operation with the British Red Cross, the sites of depots and bases on French soil and generally prepare for the coming of Canadian forces. The function of the Canadian Red Cross is to supply extra and emergency hospital and ambulance equipment that may be needed by the Canadian army and generally to help to meet the personal and individual needs of the sick and wounded and the comfort of the troops. During Dr. Routley’s visit to London headquarters of the Canadian Red Gross Society, at present at the Savoy Hotel, funds have "been given or earmarked for Britain, through the British Red Cross, and for Finland, Turkey and France, and for Polish relief. Over £200,000 is being invested in the building of a Canadian war hospital at Cliveden, where there was a Canadian hospital during the last war,* and £lO,OOO has been guaranteed for the Beaver Club, the leave centre for Canadians now being prepared in Spring Cardens, London. EMPIRE AFFAIRS 19/1/40 19 PRESS NOTICE The Minister of Labour and National Service with the approval of the Prime Minister has appointed Mr,F.N.Tribe C.B*, C.B.E. to the post of deputy secretary to the Ministry, rendered vacant by the death of the late Mr. Humbert Wolfe C.B. C .B, E. Mr.P.W .Leggett G.B. has , been appointed to a new post of chief adviser to the Ministry on Industrial Relations. Mr.G-.H.Ince will succeed Mr.Leggett as Under Secretary to the Ministry and will be specially concerned with National Service matters in the Ministry, MINISTRY OF LABOUR. 19»1»40 - No. 20. THE BANABANS' £lO,OOO. ISLAND NATIVES’ GENEROUS GIFT TO BRITAIN. It is announced by the Colonial Office that the Banabans, a native community on Ocean Island in the Gilbert and Ellice Islands Colony, have placed at the disposal of the King the sum of £lO,OOO as a contribution to British war funds. Although it was suggested to them by the High Commissioner for the Western Pacific that a sum of £2,000 would represent a generous donation from the funds at their disposal, the Banabans have expressed a unanimous wish that the larger amount should be "as token of their accepted a loyalty to his Majesty and to the cause of the British Government under whose protection they have lived since 1901"* A message of appreciation of this gift has been sent by His Majesty to the Banaban Community. Part of the money will, in accordance with the wishes of the Banabans, be utilised on the provision of anti-aircraft guns for service on land. EMPIRE AFFAIRS. The War Office, London, S*W.l* 19th January, 1940. The War Office states that in order to ensure even distribution, all berks, periodicals and magazines intended for general presentation to the British Expeditionary Force should be sent to The City of London Territorial Army and Air Force Association, Finsbury Barracks, City Read, London, E.C.1., and not to the Military Forwarding Officer at Southampton, or the Army Comforts Depot at Reading. 19/1/40 - No 22. TRANSPORT CHARGES FOR PIGS. The Ministry of Pood wish to notify producers of pigs that, from 29th January, 1940, no transport allowance will "be paid where the producer delivers pigs to a "bacon in his if does not exceed factory own vehicle, the distance five miles. Beyond five miles, the allowances will remain at the rates set out in the leaflet of prices issued "by the Ministry on 12th January, 1940. MINISTRY OF POOD. 19.1.40 - N0.23. ANOINTMENT OP DIRECTOR OP COLD STORAGE. 9 The Minister of Food has appointed Mr* E.F.Farrow as Director of Cold Storage,, Mr. Farrow was for twenty years General Manager of Hay’s Wharf, He is an ex-President of the National Federation of Cold Storage and Ice Trades and a Vice- President of the British Association of Refrigeration. He has toured the world to secure first-hand information regarding cold storage plants and is conversant with the methods employed in the U .S.A., South America, New Zealand, Australia, Germany, and Russia, MINISTRY OF FOOD. 19/1/40 - No. 24 BACON PRICES. -Order dated 18th January,l94 0, amending the Bacon (Prices) Order,l940 An Order was made by the Minister of Food on 18th January it amending the Bacon (Prices) Order,l940 Among other provisions, prescribes prices for the kinds of bacon and ham which can be bought without coupons, as already announced., The Amending Order fixes the following wholesale prices for types of bacon not previously specified:- 1. UNCOOKED WITH BONE Green Smoked | Pale Dried per cwto per cwt o j per owt. s o do Sodc s* d« Forehocks 84* 0 o 95» 0 o | 2. UNCOOKED - BONELESS Ulster Rolls 121„ 0. 132 c 0* 132. 0. Shoulder-end Middle cut 168, 0, 179« 0 C 179. 0, It also provides that where at the request of a retailer a wholesaler slices, rashers or skins bacon, a reasonable charge may be made for the service. The wholesaler is also entitled to charge the difference between passenger and goods train rates in cases where, at the request of the retailer, bacon is delivered at passenger train ratese The Order also prescribes the following maximum retail prices for types of bacon and ham not included in the original Order:- lc UN COOKED , WITH BONE Green : Smoked , Pale Dried lb. lb, per per j per lb. So do- So do i So Cl » Whole Middle 1. 8 0 1. 9, | 1 Whole Back 1.11. 2 0 C o j Whole Streak 1. 3o I 1. 4o j | Whole Gammon or Ham 1. 8 C ! 1. 8. | 1, 8 0 i ! Whole Fore-end or Square Shoulder 1 0 4o 1. 4. V I Forehock l c 1. 1.1. j 1 Gammon Hock 1.1. 1,1. i 2 • COOKED, BCN HN ! ~ SKINLESS Whole Gammon or Ham 2 4o ! - i Where uncooked bacon (other than Ayrshire Rolls) is sold without skin the maximum retail prices may be increased by not more than 2d, per pound. MINISTRY OF FOOD 19/1/40 -ma* - -. tn -a,--nr:*. tm i m&.vii«i o*m\ * No irrui'aM 25. >ifri GERMAN SEA WAR ON NEUTRALS During the last seven days casualties to seven neutral ships have been announced as a result of German's sea war, which is directed as much against neutral shipping as it is against that of the Allies, Two Italian steamers, the TRAVIATA and the POZZUOLI 1 have been as a result of Germany s illegal minelaying campaign. Two other neutral ships, the Belgian' JOSEPHINE CHARLOTTE, and the Greek ASTERIA have been sunk by Gorman mines. Germany, however, has not relied upon indiscriminate minelaying to sink or damage neutral ships, German submarines have attacked neutral ships both by gunfire and torpedoes, and as a result of these attacks one Dutch ship and two Norwegian ships have been sunk in the last seven days, They are the Dutch steamer ARENDSKERK, and the Norwegian steamers ENID and ‘FAGERHEIM. The ARENDSKERK was sunk after the ship had "been examined by the officers of the German submarine, and the captain of the U-boat is reported as having said that he was reluctant to sink the ship, but ”it is war and orders must be obeyed blindly 51 The ? .. German plea that the ship was carrying contraband and therefore had to be sunk has no basis in International Law* It has been, moreover, exploded by the Dutch statement that she was outward bound and carrying no contraband No wonder the Dutch newspaper DE TELEGRAAF comments:- "The sinking of this ship is one of those senseless acts of war which bring no fame to the German navy 0 We consider the Nazi aim to isolate England has failed* will never succeed in stopping the English or Dutch from sailing the seas' 5 c The sinking of the ARENDSKERK is almost on a par with the sinking of the Dutch tanker SLIEDRECKT >*v several weeks ago - a sinking which Germany tried to justify story by the dissemination of submarine an imaginative)/or a British trap sailing the Atlantic under Dutch colours. / The The Norwegian steamer ENID was attacked by gunfire by a German U-boat on Wednesday afternoon. The U-boat fired between fifteen and twenty shells into the Norwegian ship and set her on fire. No attempt was made by the U-boat to make provision for the safety of the crew of this neutral ship who were left to fend for themselves in open boats in bitterly cold weather a considerable distance from land. Nor did the U-boat which torpedoed the Norwegian steamer FAGFRHEIM make any attempt to provide for the safety of the neutral lives on board, Fourteen of the crew of this ship are still missing and five survivors, who were picked up in an exhausted condition by a Greek steamer, have been landed in Spain. Among these survivors was the captain of the FAGERHEIM, who had both legs broken. As if to emphasize her intention to wage ruthless warfare against neutral shipping, Germany issued a news "bulletin in Tokyo two days ago boasting that the two Danish steamers FEDDY and IVAN had been engaged by the German air force in the North Sea and "annilhilated”. Actually, these two ships were attacked by German aircraft in defiance of International but both of Law, them were afterwards brought into harbour. NAVAL AFFAIRS. 19/l/40 No 26 FRENCH OFFICIAL COMMUNIQUE EVENING Paris, Friday 19th January 1940.- Tho following official communique was issued this evening from. French G.H.Q. A quiet day on the land front. Activity of the aviation on "both sides. 19. 1.40 No 27 War TILLAGE IN NORTHERN IRELAND Northern Ireland is in this struggle up to the neck and its farmers will shew that there is no gap in their section of the homo front declared the Northern Ireland Minister of Agriculture, Sir Basil Brooke addressing County Fermanagh farmers tonight. The is in tillage campaign making excellent progress Northern Iceland and much possible at Toy growing as as home, he shall do deal to reduce the strain said, we a great This of contribution to on our shipping a is part our achieving the victory which lies ahead. empire affairs 19.1.40 - N0.28* HEINKEL RAIDER DRIVEN OFF. (Not to be quoted as an Air Ministry announcement ). A German Heinkel raider, with undercarriage down, speed slackening and rear gunner out of action disappeared seawards off Aberdeen early this afternoon. A patrolling R.A.F. fighter snotted trails of smoke in the sky. He searched for fifteen minutes before sighting the Heinkel which was flying southeast over the sea. He closed with the enemy attacking from behind and above. The Heinkel made off into cloud much the worse for the encounter. AIR .AFFAIRS. FOREIGN PRESS REVIEW DAILY SURVEY OF WORLD COMMENT ON THE WAR COMPILED FROM TELEGRAPHIC REPORTS RECEIVED RY THE MINISTRY OF INFORMATION <2^ 5, No. 19.thi...January , 1940 GERMANY: ALLEGATIONS AGAINST BRITAIN. Allegations that Britain is using France for her own ends have been made in the German press. The NATIONAL ZEITUITG of Essen, in a Paris .patch? stated in its Tuesday edition that Britain did not hesitate to exploit France economically during the war. "Convincing proof is that business circles?obviously with State aid want to invest £8,000,000 in French iron works," added the paper, "It is planned to set up a French administrative office at Nancy in order to get a firm footing in the Briey and Longuey basins,' The British justification will be they are supplying money for the French armaments industries. At the end of the war the French will recognise that while the poilu was fighting at the front his own Allies were plundering his rear-guard," Referring to rationing in Britain and Germany, the WESTFALISCHE LANDEBZLITUNG stated: "It is characteristic of the plutocratic attitude of the London ’war merchants’ that supplementary meat rations for heavy workers have not been sanctioned. While it Is a matter if course for Germany to grant more meat to such workers in proportion to their additional productiveness, England simply over-rides such social points of view," The seriousness of the German fuel position is shown by a dispatch which appeared in the same paper. Field Marshal' Goering, it was reported, had given orders to cut down trees in German forests in order that the country districts might be supplied with fuel. The KOELNISCUE ZEITUNG stated "The emergency measures taken by the Government and the party in order to supply coal Nazi are not efficient because of technical transport difficulties and for other reasons," A confused article in the same paper on "British sea warfare morals" coincided with Dutch about the sinking of the Dutch anger vessel Arendskerk, "The effects of Britains warfare at sea are directed against the neutrals" alleged the paper, "Its extension, jiamely latest the "blockade of German exports is exclusively against the raeutrals as they are purchasers of German goods and carry them in their ships. 2 FOREIGN PRESS ‘ REVIEW Page • l9/1/40 U.S.A; IMPOTENCY OF HITLER'S THREATS. The view that Hitler’s threats have lost their potency owing to the Fuehrer's misinterpretation of the Allies' psychology was expressed in today's NEW YORK TIMES. ”If the intimidation of the neutrals is intended by the constantly occurring alarms, it must be clear to the Germans that‘the by now ‘ -eapon cf threat' has failed,” states the paper. "If it is hoped to threaten the Allies into a ’super-Munich’ the hope is based upon an utter misunderstanding of British and French as well as neutral p sychology. Every time the method is repeated it loses progressively in potency and at the same time deprives the intended of the onslaught surprise which might have ensured its success. 'The Germans have made the mistake of waging a of war nerves against peoples who at last are steeled at the prospect of war. The Nazi leaders can no longer expect the Allied walls to tumble at the repeated trumpet blasts of doom.” Belgium* s More Favourable Position, The beliefs that Belgium is in a relatively much better position than Finland and that further internal difficulties are facing Hitler were expressed in yesterday’s American Provincial Press. ’’The Belgians and Dutch must constantly be on their guard against a suprise by the Nazi forces/’ stated the CHARLESTON NEWS CHRONICLE. ’’Hitler has been unable to fulfil his threat to trample down the Allies as he trampled down the Poles, He would roll down the Belgians or the Dutch or both these peoples if he could be assured that he could do it, Hitler has shown the world th at he is without scruples.” The SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS’S view was that even conceding that Germany’ armies were stronger than the Soviet forces, the Belgian position was relatively better than Finland’s and other troops could be rushed to Belgium’s aid. The paper went on to state that it was doubtful whether the Russian and German popular morale had fared well in recent months, and ’Blitzkrieg 1 that the attempted invasion :f Finland had shown that the which worked in Poland was fallible. Germany's Internal Difficulties, in the PORT WORTH Criticism of Germany’s economic system was made STAR TELEGRAM which stated: ’’The world has for some time anticipated point in the called wizard-like Nazi finance devised by a stopping so Dr, Schacht, Symptoms of collapse of Germany’s monetary system are from Berlin 'German people losing faith in their reported are The German people’s misgivings as to the Nazi alluminium currency. ominous signs cf internal crllap se," c inage are administration with stories of dis- Changes in German together satisfaction when it leaked out, were thought "by the SAIT ANTONIO German in far hard time. EXPRESS to indicate that industry was a FOREIGN PRESS REVIEW • Page 3 19/1/40 SWEDEN: TROUBLE ON HITLER ' S HOME FRONT> The difficulties of Hitler's home front were stressed in Swedish Press, The AFTENBLADET reported from Berlin that many German shops were already closing down owing to further rationing restrictions .whlc will be enforced in February Many large * shops, particularly clothiers, may disappear altogether, ’’Further restrictions are imminent.” added the paper. ”A compulsory war loan may be combined with wage taxation. There are rumours of a 10% taxation on the lower wages and more on the higher salaries,” In conclusion the AFTENBLADET stated that, although details were not known, it was generally expected that wage cuts would be enforced as from February lst. Attack on M.Sandler. M.Sandler, the former Swedish Foreign Minister was described in yesterday's Swedish papers as a "war-monger.” Referring to the debate in the Swedish Parliament the GOTEBORGS HANDELS -OCH S JO-FARTSTIDNING stated; ’’Both M.Hansson the Premier and M.Sandler, regarded neutrality as a guide to Swedish policy, but whereas M.Hansson is grounded in tradition, M.Sandler is not anchored in the past.” The Press reaction to the speeches of M.Hansson and M.Sandler showed that considerable differences, exist in Sweden with regard to Swedish Foreign policy c The comment of the HAGENS NYHETER was in the following words: ’’Sandler of and defeat His disappointments of ego>ke collapse e were the first order c In December he stressed the fact that differences of opinion in the Government had been relatively restricted, but he now enlarges the differences to quite a different size.” 11 The bomb in the opening debate” the striking expression was used by the STOCKHOLM TIDNINGEN which -stated: ’’The support of the coalition • Government by all the larger parties in Parliament cannot conceal and above party frontiers both inside and out- that, through side the Riksdag, there exists opposition an which has another view of Sweden’s situation. The opposition, which to our great joy found some expression in the opening debate also desires unity . and cohesion but not around an empty voido It should be around clearly defined objectives with the object of saving and preserving Sweden’s peace, freedom and independent national existence*," 19/1/40 FOREIGN PRESS REVIEW • Page ITALY: GAYDA ATTACKS TIE LEAGUE An attack on the Versailles Treaty and the League of Nations which he blamed for the present conflict, was made by Signor Virginio Gayda in last night’s GIORNALE D’ITALIA. In the final of a series of articles on "Italy and her former Allies", who is often described as the "Mouthpiece Signor Gayda. of Mussolini" stated that Versailles was conceived by Britain and France with the intention of establishing Britain’s command of the seas. He went on to say that Europe had been divided into two camps. "The Council and not the Assembly of the League should have been entrusted with the revision of existing -problems, he added "The Assembly is the seat of the most reciprocal incomprehensions," He concluded by saying that the creation of Czecho-Slovakia and Poland with German populations had inevitably led to war. Italy too was dis-satisfied as she considered herself defrauded of the fruits of victory. FRANCE; FRENCH PRAISE FOR R.A.F, Praise for the R.A.F, and for British doctors in the Services was given in the French press yesterday. The flights of the R.A.F. were described in the photographic INTRANSIGEANT dangerous but useful missions, and the MATIN 'S as special correspondent wrote in warm appreciation of the English doctors who attended French peasants in the absence of local French doctors called to the colours. The semi-official PETIT PARISIEN took the view that the "elimination" of Hitler would not suffice to put an end to the world’s troubles, for it was the German Staff which was really responsible for Pan-Germanism. Under the heading of "British dignity" the EXCELSIOR observed "The Hore-Belisha incident has been closed in a dignified atmosphere of mutual respect and in a way that does honour to the parliamentary customs of our Allies," SWITZERLAND: NAZI MANOEUVRES IN THE LOW COUNTRIES The precautionary measures taken in Holland and Belgium are believed to have been the result of a German political manoeuvre. "The purpose was to conceal the actual point of the attack and to tire out the opponent”, states DER BUND today. "Therefore the utmost precaution must be observed and in international opinion the Belgium and Dutch measures are an inevitable necessity." Referring to the Scandinavian situation, the JOURNAL DE GENEVE observed: "The northern governments must remember that even the most extreme political prudence will not necessarily save them from the covetedness of their two powerful neighbours',' If, • despite the most scrupulous neutrality their countries are attacked, they cannot resist indespensible. " for long and the help of the western Allies will be FOREIGN PRESS REVIEW • Page r~ HOLLAND: DUTCH PROTEST AT TORPEDOING. A bitter protest against the sinking of the Dutch vessel Arendskerk was made in both today’s and yesterday's Dutch Press. HET VADERLAND stated; "The torpedoing of the Arendskerk proves that the German submarine commanders have far reaching orders but do not consider respect for neutral interests. The sinking is a mockery of all laws governing trade between the neutrals and the belligerents. "After the torpedoing of the Sliedrecht this is one of the most impertinent acts of German submarines. It is not real warfare and cannot contribute to the fame of any navy," Prom Berlin HET HANDELSBLAD reported that the Nazis were astonished at the indignation aroused in the Dutch Press at the sinking of the Arendskerk* The Germans attempted to justify the torpedoing by saying that the vessel was carrying contraband, was attempting to escape, and gave radio signals endangering the position of a German ship* In a review of the economic war position, the ZWOLSCHE COURANT affirmed that the Allied blockade is having a great effect on Germany, HUNGARY; CAN ALLIES RISK LARGE LOSS OF LIFE? Population statistics are cited by a Hungarian newspaper today to support the theory which it advances that Germany will be better able than the Allies to support a great loss of life on the Western Front, ’’Britain and Prance are less in a position to risk a terrible loss of life in an offensive on the Western Front,” argues the MAGYARORSZAG c "Population statistics show that by 1960 the population of Prance will have declined to 30 million while that of Germany will have risen to 90 million* The situation in Britain is not much better than in Prance*” ARGENTINE; VARYING VIEWS OF NEUTRAL ZONE PROPOSITION. Varying opinions were expressed in the Press yesterday on the subject of a new neutral zone off the coasts of the Americas, LA NACION thought that strict neutrality and the establishment of a neutral zone were essential and that successful co-operation in the matter of neutrality would fit the Americas to aid in the re-con- On the other hand the ELDIA considered that the struction of Europe,, enforcement cf a neutral zone was impracticable, Several insisted abstention from war, but without papers on complete isolation. FOREIGN PRESS REVIEW • Page 5[ Praise for Allies and U.S.A. Praise for the democracies was contained in an article in a recent issue of LA LIBERTAB DE AVELLANEDA. "There is no doubt that the idea of democracy has been developed along various lines in the course of history but it must be acknowledged that it has never been obscured in the two great powers of Western Europe or in the United States," stated the paper* "These nations have given many proofs of their virtues. In (Brreat Britain the resignation of a popular Minister has provoked discussion. The Government does not veto either discussion or criticism and offers a full explanation. " Contemporaneously in a totalitarian country another Minister is transferred and this is announced only in a brief communique. The opinion of the people is considered to be worthless.’’