16/10/39 No.1 FRENCH OFI11ICIA..L COMMUNIQUE. Between the Moselle and Saar there was 13reat activity within the enemy lines. West of Wissenbourg there was patrol activity on both sides. ISSUED THROUGH THE NEWS DIVISION SENATE HOUSE. 16. 10. 39 -No, 2. AUSTRALIAN WOOL DEAL Press reactions to the wool purchase agreement are generally favourable. Wool circles in Australia regard the price as very fair under present conditions. EMPIRE AFFAIRS. I •' 16/10/39 -No. 3. H.M. the King has sent a message of congratulation to' King Carol of Roumania on the occasion of his birthday. FOREIGN AFFAIRS 16/10/39 -No.4. INDIA'S RESOURCES THE PROBLEM OF WAR CONDITIONS. The Government of India have decided to create an Economic Resources Board in order to cope with the large number of economic problems arising from war conditiona. The President of the Board is the Commerce Member of the Viceroy's Executive Council, Sir A. Ramaswami Mudaliar, and the Vice-Preside~t, Dr. T.E. Gregory, Economic Adviser to the Government of India. The Board will be constituted of representatives of all departments concerned with the deve-lopme.ntr-·and conservation of India's resources, and ·steps are being taken to maintain close contact with Provincial Governments and with professional, industrial and commercial organisations. Government of India. 16/10/39 -No.5, I NDIAN AIR FORCE RESERVE AN EAGER RESPONSE There has been an interesting and encouraging response to the questionnaire sent by the Civil Aviation Directorate in I ndia to all pilots and engineers, whether with current or expired licenses~ The greater proportion have answered, and about 97% of the replies indicate great eagerness to serve ·in the Indian Air Force Reserve, most expressing a desire to serve overseas. In many instances the , replies have been accompanied by letters expressing deep loyalty to the Empire. When it is considered that many of these pilots and engineers are married men on CTOod salaries which they may have to sacrifice for much smaller ones, the response is a notable one. (Civil Aviation Directorate of India) 16/10/39 No. 6. SUCCESSFUL R.A.F. RECONNAISS.Af\TCE OV:CR GERMANY. The Air Ministry announces : Despite bad weather conditions the Royal Air Force carried out successful reconnaissance over northern and central Germany last night. 16/10/39 -No.7. R.A.M.C. TRAINING UNIT~ Somewhere in Southern England is an R.A.M.C. Training Unit which is known to neighbouring troop·s as "Jack Hl71 ton's Circus". The reason is that they have an orderly who was until a week or two ago a drummer in Jack Hylton's Bank, and who goes about his duties with the latest swing tunes invariably on his lips, and a transnort driver who was until recently an elephent trainer in Bertram Mills' Circus and who regales his "Fares" with lively stories of days and nights in the sawdust ring. The unit has still more cause for pride in one of their mess waters. One evening . after the officers and men had been on intensive "Front-line" training, they were startled by the cultured Oxford voice of a mess waiter remarking, "Coffee , sir, is not beyond the bounds of possibility". Subsequent inquiries revealed that the waiter had been a subaltern in a famous guards regiment. He was invalided out of the Guards, but managed to "squeeze" past the medicos into the R.A.M.C., and hopes one day to be transferred into an Infantry Regiment and thence back into the Guards again. FOR PRESS INFORMATION FROM PR.11. WAR OFFICE 16.10.39 16.10.39. -No. 8. GERMAN PRISONERS IN FRANCE Startling facts have emerged from the examination of German prisoners t aken by the French Army on the 'Vestern front. The questioning of these prisoners shov.rs that, for some weeks after the outbreak of War the German rank nnd file were not told that there was a war at all, and tJaat the fact was concealed from them until they wer e actually captured. Prisoners who came from quiet sectors were merely told thnt they were on manoeuvres and that the firing which they heard on their right or their left was just target practice and blnsting. They were convinced that there never would be war between France and Germany, tho.t "the Fuehrer would get everything without war 11 , and that "the Polish triumph" was simply a walkover -another case of the Fuehrer getting everything without a fight. They were absolutely flabbergo.st ed rrhen they found out by being shot at and surrounded that there was a real war. They were equnlly flabbergasted by the news of the pact with Soviet Russia. One so.id "It's probably Ct ruse on the Fuehrer's part to trap them. The Fuehrer al ways hated them beyond anything else". Another said "A war against France nnd England with the Bolshevists as our Allies! ! No, that just can't be true ir. The same man added thnt if it was true, "there would be trouble • But not at first because, as the Germans don't think for themselves any more, it will take some time for them to realise that they have been deceived. Aft er al l , he (Hitler) got everything without war. Poland? Oh, that didn't count -that was just exercising the troops". These examinations all reveal the same story -the dulling of German minds by Nazi lies, the suppression of all critical faculty in individuals, Nazi tr2ding on past successes which the desire for peace in other l ands have granted them, nnd t he fi~t awakening of resentment among the German tro·o:ps. The prisoners tal ked like men who after yet.-..rs of living amid savages had at last resumed contact vri th civilisation. For PRESS INFORMATION FROM PR 1, WAR OFFICE. 16. 10. 39. I . If ,' 16/10/39 BOAHD OF LDUCATION ANi\TOUNCEriIENT. NATIONAL YOUTH corn tITTEE. The National Youth CoErG1i ttee lmder the chairmnnship of Mr. Kenneth Lindsay~ Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Education, will hold its 2nd. meeting on Wednesday next Oct. 18. The appointrnent of the Cornrni ttee was announced by Lord De La Warr on the 3rd Oct. and the Coradttee held its first meeting on Jct. 5th. It is understood tho.t mnong the matters claiming the attention of the Con,1i ttee will ·be statement sU:brni tted on behalf of the principal Voluntary Organisations concerned vvi th the social and physical welfare of young people and also a statement sU:b1:1i tted by the Central Council of Hecreative and Physical Training with regard to the supply and training Df instructors and leadurs. These statements v\l'ill no doubt indicate the plans invisaged by these bodies for carrying on their activities for the benefit of youth under war conditions and particularly during the coming winter. It is UJ1de1"stood that the Committee \Vill also have ·before theri1 a statement of the position in regard to the immediate re-opening of clU:bs and classes for young people. Issuec through News Division. No. 10 -16/ 10/39. The Ministry of Lab0ur arnl 1rational Service a:n:n0unc0s that at 30th September, 1939, the official cost -cf-living index figure was 65 per cent. above the level of JuJ.y, l914, e. s co~ared with 56 per cent. both at 1st September, 1939, and at 1st October,_ 1938. The following Table :::hows, in colunm (2) , the average percentage increases during Septerr::oer in the prices of the main groups of i terns which are taken into accmmt in the compilaticn of the index figures, The Table also shovvs, in columns ( 3) and (4), the inc.ex figures representing the av-erage percentage increases in the prices of those items as compared with July, 1914. :-------·-------..-----....--...---- ...-----:--·..--..----..~-_...... . ~Average Percentage ; IndFJ.x Figures ( repre_;s<.mU.ng \ ; • • J.. ,_ ; average percentage ::mcrease or : 7 ; I nerea.se a i., vO t..h ; decrease ( ··1 as ~ Item. ; September, 1939, as: compared With J1J.ly, 1914, at ; \compared with 1st : -ist September, :30tlt-Septemher,! ·--·---.J.§~~E_z_193_9. . ....;1239 : ~-~39.__ _j : (2) (3) (4) ) ~Food: ( 1) 'Beef, British Ribs 3 44 48 Thin Flank 5 15 20 Beef, Chilled or Frozen ­Ribs 4 32 38 Thi.vi :rnank 6 1 7 Mutton, British Legs 4 48 53 Breast 5 14 20 Mutton, Frozen Less 3 51 56 Breast 7 -3 4 Bacon (streaky) 10 35 47 Fish 29 116 178 Plmu-3 26 30 Br-ead 2 42 45 Tea 1 52 53 Sugar (granulated) 47 46 115 MiL1< 1 92 94 Butter Fretih 12 13 27 Salt 19 7 27 Cheese 4 16 21 Margarine 1 -8 -7 Eggs (fresh) 19 58 88 «.r.:: ._...J Potatoes 1 _ _......_ 33 :........--­All above articles of Food l 9 38 50 ,;. ·­ Rent (including Rates) 62 62 Clothing 7 105 to 110 120 to 125 Pue1 and light 1 80 to 85 85 Other Itern.s 3 80 85 -...---~-..-.-... ...­ Note . The figures in colu..~ns(3) and (4) represent the average increases as compared vrith July, :1.914. That is to say, taking July, 1914· as = 100 , the figure for "All above ar ticles of Food" for ist September, 1939, is 138 aYJ.d that for 30th Septem~er, 1939, is 150. This gives an in)rease during September of 12 points, equivalent to 9% of the figure of 138 for lst September. The 9jf is the figure given in column (2) , and similarly for the other items shown in the Table . Mini stry of Labour and National Service, . Press Offj_ce. 16th October, 1939. H. Q. 624-450 J. I. 16/10/39 -No. 11. BO.i.RD OF TR!1.DE J,J\TJ.\TOUNCE~ilENT. The Right Hon. Oliver Stanley, M.C., M.P., President of the Board of Trade, ha s appointed Ceptnin E.C. Cobb, D.3.0., M.P., to be his Pa rlio.mentary Privo.te Secrr.;t.s.ry (unpo.id), in succession to Mr. R.J.-Pilkington, M. P., who is serving with the Forces. Bo o.rd of Trade, 16th October, 1939. NOT TO BE PUtjLISHED ON Th'"E CLUB TAPES OR IN 1\NY OTI-1::11.It WAY BEFORE 6 .15 P. l,1. MONDAY, 16TH OCTOBER, 1939. Issued tlu~ough News Division. No.12. 16.10.39. The l:Iinj.stry of Labour c:.nd Nation2l Service announces that the Right Honourable Ernest Brovm, h.C., :LP., Minister of Labour ancl. National Service is broadcasting at 6.15 :P• n. to-day (~fonctay, 16th October, 1939) in the B.B.C. Home Scrv:Lce. The fol:Lovl'.i.ng acivance notes are circulated for tl1e convenience of the Press, but t!1ere is no guarm1tee that the text will be strictly aG.hered to:­ Last June I brohdcc::.st a talk on the registl·aticn of young· men under the },iili'Gai·y Tr-ainin[; }'...ct. 'l'rDt was the first step towards compulsory militm-y h ·a.ining and it vras taken, as you knovr, as a precaution 2.gainst the da:1ger of war. It has since bee_r1 replaced by the rruch vrider scheme of the National Service (Armed Forces) Act, under v-1hich there is povrer by Royal Proclarnation to mal':e liable f'or militai~y service all men betY'een the age limits of 18 ancl 41. The first proclamation vras signed by the King on 1st October. It does not apply to all men of military uge, but only to those who had reached the age of 20 and had not reached the age of 22 on 1st October. I am here to-night to ta1k to you about that proclamation, and what is rec.[Liired of the young men to vrhom it applies. You moy vronder vrby this task falls to the Ministl7 of' Labour and National Service. There are two reasons. T:1e first is very simple. Tho Yrork of calling up la.rge nu.'llbers of men f'rom every part of the country requires a net­work of Local Offices at v-rbich the work of registration can be quickly and easily hc:..ridled. We have this machinery in our 3mployment Exchanges and Local Offices, and, if a..'1.d when necessary, tv-:o or three million men. can be registered, meclically exam.:i.necl and cc>lled u:;:> vrithout difficulty. 'l'he second, and more important, reason is this. Recruitment for the .Armed Forces is not oi1ly a matter of physical and mental fitness. ~e have to bear in mina the need at home for fit men f'or the product:'.on of armaments, of food, and alJ. the other servlces necessary to the prosecution of war. \'le have also to maintain the vital export trade. In order on the one hnJ1.a. to conserve the labour reei.uired for essential services at home and on the other hand to meet the man-power requireme:n ts of the Armed Forces vro have preparecl a ScheJulo of Reserved Occupations. T'nere must therefore be a proper classification of each man 1s inc1t<.strial ex:perience, and that is why the first step in calling up an. age group under the Armed Forces Act is registration at an Employment Exchange, v1here there is a staff vrith a knowleclge of imlustrial occupations v.rhich is used to dealing vrith such eiuestions. The calling up of men under the Armed Forces Act does not prevent voluntary enlistment. Men can still volunteer if they vrlEh to do so, and they may r egister their nam.es and pa:rtic~1lars at Recruiting Offices or at Zmployment Exr:ha'1.ges. This voluntary recruitment is a valuable aid to the Fighting Forces, but the chief methocl of meeting the:'..r needs is through the Armec.1 -.,orces Act, vrhich enables us to embody the numbers we require in accordance v _ c;h an orderly plan. As I have already said, the first Proclamation under that plnn applies to men be"c.vreen the ages of 20 a.i.1.d 22, and further Proclamations will be Ill8.d.e for other age classes c.s ar1cl vrhen additional men are required. I vmnt to-night to address myself in particular to those of you vrho are covered by this first Proclamation, ana. to tell you vrhat your ::>bligations are, anrl vrhat you are required to do. Please note carefully the age limits. All men who had reached the age 0f 20, but had not reached the age of 22 on 1st October, are now liable to be called up for service, and this means that you must register under the Armed Forces Act. The day on vrilich you m.i.st register is ne:.:ct Satu.rday, 21st October. The place to register is 211Y Local Office of the :Ministry of Labour and National Service. If you are in any doubt as to where the nearest Office is, you can get the address from your local Post Office. 1. We are µitting up posters Gilroughout the country. You v,rill find them disple.yed at Ministry of Labour and National Service Offices, Fast Offices, Police Stations and Municipal Offices. These posters will explain in detail what has to be done. I a.sk you to reaa. them carefully &...'1.d you will then sn.ve yourselves and us a lot of trouble. We want the work of registration to go through as smoothly and as successfully now as it did vi.hen the mi.litiamm1 registered le.st June. .And for this I seek your co-operation. '110 avo::.c1 unnec:essary delay ;re ask you to attencl at different times ne::t Satu:~day, 2.ccordi:ig to the initial letter of your surname. If yom' surname begins with an 1:\. or a B you are asked to come betv-reen 12 noon and 1 p.m. If it begJ.r.s with a C, D, E or J:t1 , your time is from 1 p.m. to 2 P•lil• and so on at ir,tervcd.s until 6 p. m. If you vi/ill keep to your proper t:iJne, we shall not have to keep you and others w-aiting. If you are unemployed, or if you are unab.le to come at your allotted time in the afternoon you may attend in the morning between 10 o 1clock and 12 noon. Some of you r.1ay be ill or may live a Jong way from your nearest Employment Exchange. :B1or such men there are sep8.rate inst:cuctior.s on the posters. Men vrho are covered by the Scheclule of Reserved Cccupations are not cx0mpted~ and must :;_~egister on 21st October. liike all other men, they will ·be required, vrhe:n they register, to state exactly what their occupation is, and if it is foun(l that they are at or above t!1e age of reservation for their occupation, they will not be called up. This registration has to be done very carefully and very accuratelyJ and it is of the highest importance, both to the man himself, to his employer and to the nation that the information should be accurate. There are certain classes of men vrho do not come within the scope of the Act, and who are therefore not required to register. They include~ for example, men already serving in the Armed Forces, and ministers of religion. Det.3.ils of these classes v.rill be found in the posters. Men vvho registered as militiamen last June are not required to register again. When you attend to register, you will be asked to produce certain documents. All of you will be reciuired to produce your National Registration Identity Cards. If you have an unemployment book you vrill also be required. to produce this. If yoµ cannot bring it along with you, make sure that you knovr v1hat the number is so that you can tell the registration clerk. You will also be required to give the date of your birtn, and, as I have alrea.dy said, to furnish certain information about your occupation. May I emphasise again horr important the accuracy of this inf'ormation is. It not only enables us to see whether you come within the Schedule of Reserved Occupations, but it also enables us to allocate you to a unit where you will be able to serve your country to the best advantage. The Act makes the same provision for conscientious objectors as the Military Training Act. A conscientious objector is required to register on Saturday next like everyone else, but he can at the same time apply to be put on the R.egister of Conscientious Objectors. Be will then be provision~gy_ registered in that Register, and given a form to enable him to apply to the District Tribunal to have his case considered. After registration, the ne::..."t step is medical examination. When your time comes to be medically examined we shall vrrite to you telling you when and where you have to report. After that vre shall issue the enlistment notices. All of you vrho are called to the colours vrill get separate instructions and vrill be given at lea.st three days 1 notice before you are required to join your unit. We do not expect that the first enlistment notices calling up men in this age group vi/ill be issued for at least a month. This registration day is not for training alone, like that last June, but for service in a roighty cause. Yle have all entered this struggl e viith the gr:im rosolve . t o see it through to the end. No one, le~.st of all tl.:ose of us v:ho fought in the last war, would w:i.sh to make l ight of tho sacrif~~ces you will be ns~rnd to mCt.ke or of' the heavy burden you ana. you.r. dear on.es will be ca11Gd upon to bear. Dark days mny lie a:iea::l... But vre vrill 2,11 carry on w:i..i.;h the sure convicticn t~1at never did a people go to vmr in a more united resolve, or int":p1rec1 w.Lth a 15.gher i)Ui.~pose . Our Br~.t:i.sh fighting forces have fine traditions. It is you vrho will carry on those trc::.0.iticns. You w:i 11, I aw <..:onvincod., shovr that same selfless devotion to duty} that sc:"me chee:r·ful cmirs.ge in adversity~ that saim qi.liet determination vrhich t!l.Y.'01ighont t he ce.nb.i.:;:"i.eR h0.s ep5.t ·.Jlu:i.sed the spirit of' our manhood and led u:::: surely through the a.G.rk hours of danger a.long the roaCJ. to v1ct ory. One l ast word to all listeners. 21 ~t Octo1"Jo:c i s o. fa;:nous d::i.y in t he annals of our race . It is the anniversc.ry of Traf'alga~l'.'· 1)1P key­note of T\elson1 s fa.."11ous message vras the word "cJnty". It is our nE.Ltio:rwl duty to respond to the call once mo::.~e t o Jay the usurpers low. So th2t simple folk can once rior e go about their homely al'fairs in saJ~ety and sing the merry songs of peace t o all their ne)gbbom~s. :2ngl3.nd. expects., Scotlm1d e~~pects, Wales expects us all to c1.o our duty. Our cotmtry expects all to vrhoin the Proclamation appl::i es to reg:i.ste1· for this servi:::e next Saturday and t o be staunch to the end against odds uncounted. Press Of fice , Ministry of Labour and National Service. VThitehall e2co. 16th October 2 1939. H. Q. 602-450 J.I. 3. 16/10/39. -No. 13. AIR MINISTRY ANNOUNCEMENT. German aircraft have attempted to attack coastal objectives in Scotland this afternoon. The Royal Air Force have engaged the raiders and have inflicted casualties upon them. A further bulletin will be issued as soon as possible. AIR AFFAIRS. ·--­ NOT FOR PUBLICATION BE;EQE~L1:Z'.r!i OQTQBER MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE ANNOUNCEMENT --------·--r-----·--·--------------­ WH~~-~CT§i_12~~-~-1~~2 Ad~~nc~ -~~l~~nt_gf_~~§~~QQQ_!2_g~~is~~!~£_Grg~~£~ The Wheat Commission wi ll des9atch cheques to 7,957 registered grov:ers on the 17th October i n payment of an advance on account of deficiency payments payable under the Wheat Acts for the cereal year ending 31st July, 19400 In 50 other cases where it has not been practicable to ma1rn payment on the 17th October cheques wil l be despatched as soon as possibleo Tne payment will be at the rate of 3/-d, ~er cwto ( 13/ Sdo per quarter) in respect of 2 ,419, 500 cv:tso ( 537, 6$7 quarters) of wheat vouched for by 10,900 wheat certificates delivered to the Commission between lot August and 30th September, 19390 The aggregate amount of the advance is a11proximately £363 ,OOOo The question of making an advance payment to growers in respect of' wheat certificates delivered after 30th September will be considered by the Commission l ater in the cereal year. M.A.Fo61 16/10/39 No 15. MINISTRY OF SUPPLY. __,_-.,­ PRESS NOTICE. LEATHER CONTROL. The Minister of Supply announces that for the purpose of ensuring adequate supplies, the importation of cattle hides and calfskins will be regulated and a Central Purchasing Pool with offices in Liverpool (K26-27, Exchange Buildings, Liverpool 2,) has been formed for this purpose. To ensure complete regulation of purchases an Order has been made by the Board of Trade adding cattle hides and calfskins to the list of prohibited imports as from October 23rd. Licences to import except through the Pool will be granted only in ex~eptional cases. All applications for these (which should be made to the Import Licensing Department 9 Board of Trade, 25 Southampton Buildings, W.C.2) must be accompanied by a certificate from the Leather Controller, 8 St. Thomas Street, London, S.E.1. The Order is known as The Import Prohibition (No. 3) Order, 1939, and may be obtained from H.M. Stationery Office. 16/10/39 No.16 POLAND'S CONTRIBUTION German propaganda has endeavoured to create the impression that Poland was sacrificed by her Allies fruitlessly and that the efforts of the Polish Army contributed nothing to the . Allied cause. This is quite incorrect. Poland's contribution towards final victory by her Allies was considerable. The following points should be borne in mind and might well be used at Editors' discretion in the British press, in appreciation of the Polish Army's gallant, though unsuccessful, resistance:­ (1) The casualties inflicted by Polund on the German Army were undoubtedly greater than the figures given by Hitler in his Reichstag Speech. Even if German losses totalled only 150,000 casualties (a reasonable estimate) this represents a considerable wastage, at the outset of what may be a long war. (2) German losses, in material also, were considerable. In one attack alone they lost 83 tanks on a narrow front, and in Sosnkowski's successful counterattack near Lwow on 16/9/39 they are reported to have lost over 100 tanks. Losses of German aircraft were also appreciable; and German consumption of petrol -the weakest point in her supply system -was enormous. (3) By holding about 70 German divisions on the Eastern Front the Polish 11.rmy enabled France to complete her mobilisation without disturbance. (4) By compelling Germany to concentrate the bulk of her Air Force on the Eastern Front, Poland contributed greatly to the safe transportation of the B.E.F. to France. (5) The Polish campaign has furnished the Allies with valuable information as to the tactics developed by Germany in the use of aircraft, tanks, and motorised units. (6) There is reason to believe that the inability of German infantry to advance without tank support against even relatively weak Polish defensive positions came as a severe shock to German formations who are aware that the Maginot Line is an infinitely more formidable proposition. The morale of German tank personnel was also shaken by the effectiveness of even the verylimited anti-tank ~rtillery comrnanded by the Poles. (7) Finally, the heroic defence of Warsaw, Modlin, etc. has given an example to the world of utmost gallantry in desperate circumstances. That example will stimulate the Allied forces in the west; and it has always been clear that Poles' eventual independence would have to be established by the victory of the Allies and not by the outcome of events on Polish soil. War Office Whitehall, s.w.1. 16/10/39 -Nb.17. STRAITS SETTLEMENTS' LOYALTY. The latest loyal message to reach the King from overseas, has been received from the Legislative Council of the Straits Settlements which today (Monday) held its first meeting since the outbreak of war. It was unanimously resolved to submit to King George the loyalty and devotion of his subjects in the Colony and to express their fixed determination "to uphold the saered cause of freedom and justice which the armed forces of His MajeBty are now engaged in defending". The resolution was moved by the Colonial Secretary to the Government of the Straits Settlements and was supported by the European, Indian, Chinese, Malay and Eurasian Unofficial Members of the Legislative Council. The Senior European Member said: "Be the demand upon us what it·may, we shall comply with it cheerfully and without counting the cost". The Indian Unofficial Member: "The Asiatic community in the Straits Settlements pledge the utmost loyalty and whole-hearted service to the Sovereign". The Senior Chinese Unofficial Member: "We realise our responsibility to the Empire, and we would discharge those duties which citizenship of the Empire rest upon us". The Senior Malay Unofficial Member: "Malayans stand by the Empire through thick and thin at all times". The Eurasian Unofficial Member: "We know that our cause is just. Our faith stands firm and unshaken." COLONIAL OFFICE. 16.10,39 -No. 18. MINISTRY OF HOME SECURITY ANNOUNCEMENT, The Ministry of Home Security has issued the following communique in connection with the attempted attack • on coastal op jectives in Scotland this afternoon. Reports received up to date indicate that there has been no civilian casualties and no damage to property as a r esult of enemy action. MINISTRY OF HOME SECURITY 16/10/39 No. 19 PRESS NOTICE Mr. -V-ialter G.Fish, C.B.:C., formerly the Editor of the Daily Uail and Director of Associated Newspapers Ltd., has been ar>pointed honorary Press Adviser to Admiral Usborne, Director of the Censorship Division of the Press and Censorship Bureauo This appointrnent is one of the first steps taken by Sir '!alter Monckton j K. C. , who recently became Director General of' the Press and Censorship Bureau when it ceased to form part of the Ministry of Information. The object is to .:.;ive expert newspaper guidance to the Censorship. The appointment of Mr.Halter Fish has been made with the approval of the British Press general1y, which has been expressed by the lea.cling organisations representing the London and Provincial Press. Issued through Press and Cei1sorship Bureau ' '· 16. lOo 39. No.?-0. BuYING AUSTRALIA' s FWOL. HO\-r ~~HE TRA~JSACTION \"!j_\_$ CARRII::D OUT LAST TUlli. 'l'he British Government's lJurchase of the Australian wool cliri during the last war was one of the biggest cormnercial transactions of modern times. No'H 9 as the public here and in the Commonwealth have just learnt 9 their tvvo Governments have made similar ar>range­ments far this war. The purchase was delayed last time until 1916, when it became apparent to the British authorities that the rapidly increasing demand for woollen clothing for the Allied Forces required extra­ordinary meas~es to meet the emergency conditions. France and Italy had already C0iflli10.ndeer>ed their Home clips at a small percentage above pre-war prices. Great Britain followed suit by purchasing the home produced. Britis~.1 clipo · But even in normal times the Home production of these countries was altogether insufficient for domestic requirements which were largely met by imports from the British Dominions. Negotiations were therefore opened between the British and Commonwealth Governments for the purchase of the entire Australian wool clip 9 --after allovring for local r eq_uirements. An agreement was r eached on a b asis of 55;£ above the average prices for the season 1913·-lL~ equal to a flat rate of 15~d per lb• .An arrangement i.vas subseq_uentl;y rnade by which growers should parti­cipate to the extent of 50fb in profits made by the Imperial Government on sal es of wool for civilian purposes. The control of the scheme in Lustralia was placed i n the hands of a "body called the Central Wool Committee. The broad policy l aid down was that existing trade cond:i.tions were not to be disturbed; this meant that the carrying out of the details of the scheme was left to the trade itself. The vvool Yvas pr epared, ca tB.lo:zued and shown in the usual way, but i nstead of being sold by pulJlic auction, it was valued by Cl.uly appoint3d Government \:Vool Apprai serso On appraisement, the wool ·became the prope <."'ty of the Imperial Government, and was shipped as freight space became available. TJ.;e total quantity of w·ool handled by the Central Wool Comrni ttee 1.J.nder t >1e scheme beti,veen its inception in Novernben 1916 and 30th June 1 92CJ-' the da te of terminati on 9 was 2,274,164,123 pounds (or 7,127. J 90 bale~) 9 having ~ value of £159, 896,396, and the Commi -::.tee was abl e to elf im t J.1at every bale of wool ship1ied overseas vvas j_n marketable condi tiono 16th October 1939 -No, 2:JL The Netherlands Government have informed li!is Majesty's Minister at The Hlagu.e that the party of British Consular officials from Hamburg was expected to reach Rotterdam early this afternoon. The party of German of'f'icia.l.s against w-hom they are being exchanged has also arI'ived in Holland.. These German of'.fic.ials wer.e .a..t.:tach.ea to the German Consulate at Glasgow. From Foreign Office News Department ,;J-6110/39 No. 22. MIFISTRY OF FOOD PJ-TN01.JNCEUENT Mr. J! .T.Lennox-Boyd, M.P. 9 Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food, has appointed Mr.John E.Crowder, M. P. 9 to be his Parliamentary Private Secretary. · Ministry of Food. FOR EMPIRE PRESS ONLY. 16/10/39 -No,23 From TrGvor Ross. Somewhere with the Flee:t. We have just participa.ted in farewells in o. British netrt between British bluejackets o.nd French sailors, the ensigns of whose countries fly at the sterns of highly efficient submarine chasers of the Allied Navies. The anti-subma.rine craft were just putting to sen to resume their war against U-boats. The ensigns and the two uniforms '\IYere the outward and visible sign of the close co-operation existing between the British and French navies, which are do.ily intensifying their vital work of hunting down submarines threatening the lives of merchant seamen, ships and cargoes along the maritime nrteries of the world. Recently I have seen something of the l arge numbers of speeinlly­equipped anti-submarine craft which Britain is marshalling with the object, among other things, of keeping safe the Empire sea routes. The Government announced some time ago that 86 trawlers were being converted into chasers and minesweepers. But the story by no means ends there. It is certainthat merchant skippers on the Empire routes would be greatly reassured if they knew the full extent of the measures being taken for their protection. Rather untidy but very seaworthy fishing eraf~ are being turned into trim ships capable of catching another kind of prey. The extension of their conversion must necessarily be secret. It is enough to say 'that when they take their place with the Fleet they are unrecognisable as the innocent thing~ they were before the Navy began work on them. This, however, is but one as·pect of the Navy's increased striking power resulting from the equipment of auxiliary vessels. Armed merchant cruisers, as distinct from merchant ships defensively· equipped with a gun right a:fi't, wi11 prove an even mcv·re formidable addition to the Navy than they were l ast war. During recent days I have clambered over luxury liners once familiar in the distant harbours of the Empire. They are now bristling with armaments and naval officers will in future command them in new and mare dangerous waters. Luxupy has given place to utility and fighting power. They have been stripped alm0st bare between decks. Cabins have been ripped out, floorings taken up-, and expensive panellings remdved, leaving nothing but steel-work. In one ship the first-class dining saloon has been cut in half. Part will serve as the ward-room and part as a gun-room. Evenaround the walls of the ward-room there are rifle racks. Space nearby formerly occupi.ed by elegant suites has become a hospital complete with an operating theatre. These ships will play a vitally important part in the war at sea. Their speed, for they all modern vessels, will be invaluable. Moreover, their cruising range will enalJle them to operate over vast. areas. In accordance with its policy of making use of "everything that floats", the Admiralty has also chartered an enormous number of yachts for anti-submarine and coastal patrol vvork. Anywhere in the British seas these days you will come upon a former luxury crafft patrolling with a seriousness vf purpose unknown to the carefree routes they kne· w before the war • .. . -2­ More than 8, 000 were sur·veyed before the 1var. Those fit for service went into cornrnission almost as soon as hostilities broke out. The way the Aomiralty has :prepared fo·:r-the manning of all these ships is a tribute to its long-sightedness. I have watched merchant seamen gunners training in various parts of Britain. During the first week of the war one famous naval establishment turned out 87. At the moment 200 are completing its fortnight's course. Since 1937 this school has trained over 2,500 merchant service officers and men in gunnery 9 and. establishments in other centres can t ell of similar achievements. I ssued Through Press and Censorship Burea11. 16/10/39 No 24 1. The following point communique is issued by Admiralty, Air Ministry and Ministry for Home Security. To-day October 16th, between 9-0 a.m and 1-30 pm several German aircraft reconnoitered Rosyth. This afternoon at about half past two a series of bombing raids began. These were directed at the ships lying in the Forth:. and were conducted by about a dozen machines, All the batteries opened fire upon the raiders, and the Royal Air Force fighter squadron Etscended to engage them~ No serious damage was done to any of H.M. Ships. One bomb gl anced off the cruiser Southampton, causing slight damage near her bow, and sank the Admiral's barge and a pinneoe which were moored empty alongside -2­ 'I1his was the first hit which German aircraft have made during the Yvar upon a British ship. There vvere t hree casualties on board the Southampton, and seven on board the cruise:t'.' Edinburgh from splinters. Another bomb fell near the destroyer Mohawk which was returning to harbour from convoy escort. This bomb burst on the water and its splinter s caused 25 casualties to the men on the deck of the destroyer. Only superficial damage was caused to the vessel, which like the others is ready for sea. On the other hand, four bombers at least out of 12 or 14 were brought down, three of them by fighters of the Royal Air Force. -3 ­ The first cont~ct between Royal Air Force aircraft and. the enemy r ai d.ers took plo.ce off May Island at the entrance to the Fi::oth of Forth at 2. 35. p.m. when two enemy aircraft were intercepted. They were d.riven do-vvn by our aircraft from 4,000 feet to ~ithin a few feee of the water and chased out to sea. Another enemy aircraft vms engaged ten minutes later over DALKEITH. It fell in flames into the sea. Within a quarter of an hour a sharp combat took place o:Jt CRAIL, anrl. a second r ai d.er crashed in,to the sea. A third German ai rcrn:ft viras destroyed in the i1ursuit. Two German aviators have been rescued by one of our destroyers, of w:.1orn one has since died. No civilian casualties have_beBn-..re:ported? and none occurred in the Royal Air Force. -4 It is 2.lso ndc1.ec1 thnt the German cle..im issued this nf'ternoon that the attacker of H.H .. . Ship Royal Oak also attacked anc1 badly d EJ.mo.geQ. Repulse is an ab.surd invention. In view of the ho.bit of the German wireless of making f 8.nt0.s tic claims, it must be again repeated tho.t ne:ither the Re:pulse nor o.ny other' British wv.rship h as been d<.u:«m~ec1 by hostile at t ack, except as mentioned in the st2.temonts of the .Admira lty. 16/10/39 -No.25. FRENCH OFFICIAL COMMUNIQUE. No.86. (Evening). The following communique was issued by the French General Headquarters :­ "This morning on o. front of about four miles the Germans l aunched an attack supported by artillery fire irmnediately to the east of the I:1ose1Je. They occupied the heights of the Schnesberg on which we had a light line of observation posts supported by land mines. Caught under our fire the enemy attack came to a halt and even had to withdraw to the north of Apach in which village they had momentarily penetratea.• During the second week of October the French Navyheld up 25,000 . tons of goods destined for Germany. FROM FOREIGN AFFAIRS. 17.10.39 No.26., OFFICIAL ADMIRALTY ANNOUNCEMENT. The Secretary of the Admiralty regrets to announce that the following Officers and men lost their lives in the Air Raid on the Firth of Forth on October, 16th:­ Jolly, R.F. Commander, R.N. O'Shea, E.J., I,:leutenant, R.N. Mitchell, G.;.; . Gunner, R.N. Bradley, H.M., Boy C/JX157789 Coward, A.N., Petty Officer P/J102.078 nent F.A., Sick Berth Chief Pc-tty Officer P/M36844 Gallet, H.G. Ordinary Seaman P/SSX27629 Hatchen, G.W., Able Seaman P/JX142678 Hawkes C.W.J. Able Seaman D/JX131234 Holt, E., Ordinary Seaman P/SSX25970 Jones, L.S. Ab~e Seaman, P/J102235 _Mason, C. T., Ordinary Seaman, C/SSX27111 Rogerson, G.F. Able Seaman P/JX162529 Traynor J., Ordinary Seaman P/JX153671 . Whatley, C,V., Able Seams,n P/J98269 The next of kin of the above and of those seriously wounded, numbering 12, have been informed. ----------~ C.P.D./200/32: CENTRAL M PRIORITY DEPARTMENT, INISTRY OF SUPPLY, THE ADELPHI, STRAND, W.C. 2. September, 1939. GENTLEMEN, I am directed by the Minister of Supply to send to you, for your informa­tion and guidance, the accompanying Memorandum setting out the principles which govern the system of priority in regard to supplies for National purposes in amplification of the Priority of Works Order, 1939, No. 1080. The Minister is confident that you will do everything in your power to facilitate the execution of orders for essential national supplies in the immense quantities which will be required to bring the war to a successful conclusion. I am to add that further copies of the Memorandum can be supplied if required. l am, ·Gentlemen, Your obedient Servant, A. E. WATSON. MEMORANDUM ON THE PRINCIPLES GOVERNING PRIORITY OF SUPPLIES FOR NATIONAL PURPOSES. I. In the field of manufacture and supply the National effort must now be directed to the following ends:­ (a) The equipping and maintenance of the Armed Forces. (b) The maintenance of essential National Services. (c) The maintenance of sufficient export trade to produce enough foreign exchange and as far as possible of our internal trade also. 2. Itwould be impossible, even if it were considered desirable, to lay down a hard and fast order in which these three requirements should be met because they are all required to bring the war to a successful conclusion. 3. As regards the direct requirements of the Government in the immediate future the available industrial capacity has to a large extent been surveyed and the output of certain firms has, with their agreement; been allocated between Departments. This is a framework on which to place present orders, but additional capacity is required, and it is intended to continue the practice of allocating capacity in suitable cases. Firms will be informed of allocations when made, and those firms whose capacity is allocated should be able to rely upon as long a run as possible of a particular product or products and so avoid the waste of effort entailed in changing from one line of production to another. 4. There has been a good deal of misapprehen~ion in regard to the issue of priority certificates which ·may be due to the fact that, in 1917-1918, a " Priority Certificate " was usually required before any work could be done or materials obtained. If priority certificates become necessary during the present war the system under which principal and subsidiary priority certificates are to be issued and the Classes into which Priority Orders are to be divided are those set out in the Priority of Work Order 1939, No. 1080. 1 But this general system of priority has not yet become necessary, and it is not at present intended to issue Priority Certificates on any substantial ssale because a general issue now on the scale obtaining during the last war would merely lead to delay and tend to upset the even fl.ow of production which is essential for the efficient prosecution of the war. 5. To the extent that the system of granting Priority Certificates under the Priority of Work Order, 1939, 3rd September, 1939, is brought into operation, the only authorities who will be empowered to issue them are the Government Departments concerned. No other certificates or directions purporting to be of a " Priority " nature can be properly issued or legally enforced. 6. The supply of raw material is in some instances under control, and particulars of the various controls already set up are attached to this letter. There is no general shortage of raw materials. If you have any difficulty in this direction you should apply to the appropriate Control for assistance. Controllers have been instructed to give preference to the allocation of materials where reasonable information can be provided to show that the materials are needed for Government work or for work on essential National Services. 7. As a very general guide, and having regard to the foregoing observations, the following summary may be of assistance. (a) Other things being equal, orders should be carried out in the order in which they are received. (b) Difficulties in regard to raw material should be referred to the Controller concerned. (c) Priority Certificates having legal force will only be issued when necessary by order under the direction of the Government Department concerned. The appropriate Department will be the Department placing the order under execution (or the main contract from which a sub-contract has issued) ; or the Department generally responsible for the particular industry or Service concerned. As an example, the appropriate Department in the case of work or material for the Export Trade will be the Board of Trade. MINISTRY OF SUPPLY RAW MATERIAL CONTROLS. The addresses and telephone numbers of the various Controls of raw materials set up by the Minister of Supply are as follows (in some cases the addresses and telephone numbers are temporary) :­ (NoTE.-lt is particularly requested that, in order to economise the very limited telephone facilities available, and to prevent interference with urgent calls, enquiries should, wherever possible, be made by letter.) CONTROL Aluminium. Hemp and Flax Iron and Steel Jute Leather Molasses and Industrial Alcohol Non-f e rrous Metals (lead , zinc, tin and copper) Paper Silk and Rayon Sulphuric Acid, Sulphate of Ammonia, Other Fertilizers 'Fimber Wool ADDRESS Ministry of Supply, Aluminium Control, Raven Hotel, Castle Street, Shrewsbury. Ministry of Supply, Hemp (or Flax) Control, Washington Hotel, City Road, Chester. Ministry of Supply, Iron and Steel Control, Steel House, Tothill Street, London, S.W.l. Ministry of Supply, Jute Control, 1, Victoria Street, Dundee: Ministry of Supply, Leather Control, 8, St. Thomas Street, London, S.E.1. Ministry of Supply, Molasses and Industrial Alcohol Control, Great Burgh, Epsom. Ministry of Supply, Non-ferrous Metals Control, Grand Hotel, 46, Albert Street, Rugby. Ministry of Supply, Paper Control, Great Western Hotel, Station Road, Reading. Ministry of Supply, Silk and Rayon Control, Union Street Mill, Macclesfield. Ministry of Supply, Sulphuric Acid, etc., Control, Lyndale Hotel, 19, Berkeley Square, Bristol. Ministry of Supply, Timber Control, Bobby's Hotel, Bristol (Temporary Address). The Wool Control, Bradford. TELEPHONE No. Shrewsbury 4451 Chester 2301 Whitehall 1030 Dundee 2151-4 Hop 0175 Burgh Heath 741 and 3470 Rugby 3321 Reading 60491 Macclesfield 3554 Bristol 228161 Bristol 24171 (Temporary) Ilkley 1300 NoTE.-Enquiries regarding flax from persons and firms in Scotland should be addressed to the Deputy Controller, Ministry of Supply, Flax Control, Dundee. Enquiries regarding flax from persons and firms in Northern Ireland should be addressed to the Deputy Controller Ministry of Supply, Flax Control, Chamber of Commerce, Belfast. All applications for licences in respect of timber, when a licensing system is introduced, sbould be addressed to the appropriate Divisional Area or Pitwood District Officer, whose addresses will be notified to the Trade Press as soon as possible. Ministry of Supply, September, 1939. (1223) Wt. 30220-262. 80,000 9/39. K.H.K. G.-440