No. 1 13th November, 1939. M.A.F.94. MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE ANNOUNCEMENT. 1940 Sugar Bèt Prices, England & Wales. The following prices for sugar beet of the 1940 crop accepted for delivery at the factories in England of the British Sugar Corporation named below, have been agreed between the British Sugar Corporation and the National Farmers’ Union (the corresponding prices for 1939 are shown in brackets). Factory. Beet Price per ton. 1940. 1939. s.d. s.d. Bury St. Edmunds Cantley Ely Ipswich King’s Lynn 50. 0. (46. 3.) Peterborough Spalding Wissington Bardney Colwick 51. 0. (47. 3.) Felstead Kelham Allscott Brigg Kidderminster 52. 0. (48. 3.) Poppleton Selby The prices quoted above relate to beet properly topped and washed, having a sugar content of 15 1/2% and will be subject to an addition or deduction at the rate of 3/4d per ton (in place of the 2/6 per ton at present allowed) in respect of each l% by which the sugar content is greater or less than 15 1/2%. A bonus of l/3d per ton will be paid on all beet accepted by the Corporation for delivery to English factories in September, 1940, or after December 31st, 1940 provided the Grower has complied with the clause in the beet contracts regulating deliveries of beet. The Corporation will also continue to defray railway freight charges in excess of 7/- per ton on all sugar beet accepted by the Corporation for delivery to the factories at Allscott and Kidderminster. No substantial alterations in the other terms of the current contract have been made, except that in 1940 the Corporation will not hold back the "provisional sum" of l/- per ton from the specified price; there will, be deduction of half- however, a one penny per net ton as the Grower 's contribution towards the cost of Sugar Beet Research and Education. The Growers’ rights respect of in dried pulp, as set out in the 1939 contract, have been retained for 1940, subject of course, to any war-time control at the time. The prices now announced represent an increase of 3/9d per ton of sugar beet of 15 1/2 % sugar content over the 1939 prices; and the new rate of adjustment for sugar content is equivalent, in the case of crop of 16.9% sugar content to an additional l/2d per ton. These advances represent a total increase of 4/lld per ton in an average year. Moreover, the prices will be reviewed if, on representations being made by the National Farmers’ Union not later than January 1941, it is established that costs of production have increased since November 1938 to an extent which is not fully covered by the agreed terms of the 1940 Contract. 13/11/39 - No.2. FRENCH OFFICIAL COMMUNIQUE (Morning) The following communique was issued this morning by the French G.H.Q:- A the Front whole. quiet night on as a 13.11.39 - No.3. PRESS NOTICE. The following letter has been sent by the Minister of Health, the Right Hon, Walter Elliot, M.P., to the Chairman of the Women’s Voluntary Services for Civil Defence, the Dowager Marchioness of Reading, in appreciation of the work done in connection with evacuation; Ministry of Health, Whitehall, S.W.1. Dear Lady Reading, We shall in a day or two have completed, I trust, the transfer of the school children, the mothers and children under school age, the expectant mothers, and the other priority classes, who have come forward under the Government’s evacuation scheme, to be moved from the thickly populated areas to the relatively safer parts of the country. I should like, now, to express to you, and through you to your organisation as a whole, the Government’s warm appreciation, and our grateful thanks for the invaluable help which the Women's Voluntary Services have rendered in this gigantic movement. I know that you will agree with me that in a scheme of this kind the work to be done and the difficulties to be overcome at the receiving end are on an altogether different scale from those at the despatching end. Members of the W.V.S have worked hard and well at both ends; but I should like particularly to thank those in the more rural areas, from the County Controllers downwards, since they have had the greater task of arranging to receive the newcomers and helping them to settle in, in new and unaccustomed surroundings. Their work is indeed still in full swing, hut I know that I can look forward to their continued co-operation and given that I feel that there are no difficulties we cannot tackle, and tackle with success. Again with thanks, Yours very sincerely (sgd. ) Walter Elliot, No. 4. 13th November, 1939, M.A.F. 93. MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE ANNOUNCEMENT. FISHERIES ADVISORY C OMMITTEE, The Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries, and the Secretary of State for Scotland, with a view of maintaining and increasing essential fish supplies, have constituted the under- mentioned to be a standing Advisory Committee on matters affecting the producing side of the Fishing Industry of Great Britain* Mr. W.A. Bennett Trawler Owner, Grimsby). Mr. Ernest Bevin Transport & General Workers’ Union). Mr. H. Biggs H.M. Treasury). Captain E.W. Buchanan, D.S.C. R.N. (Retd. ) (Admiralty). Mr. H. Bullock General & Municipal Workers' Union}* Mr, J.M. Crockett (Aberdeen Skippers’ & Mates’ Association). Major H.S. Dawson (Scottish Herring Boat Owner). Mr. T.L. Devlin (Trawler Owner, Granton). Mr. C.G. Duggan, C. B. , O. B. E. , (Ministry of Shipping), Alderman G.E. Farmery Transport & General Workers* Union). Mr, H. Gee Ministry of Labour). Mr. D. Hillman Transport & General Workers’ Union), Mr. G. Hogarth Scottish Home Department, Fisheries Division). Major H.B. (English Herring Boat Owner). Jackson Sir Andrew Lewis, LL .D., (Trawler Owner, Aberdeen). Mr. C.T. Little (Transport & General Workers' Union). Mr. N.G. Loughnane, C.B. (Ministry of Food). Mr. John Moir (Scottish Herring Boat Owner). Mr. Wm. Murray (Scottish Herring Fisherman). Mr. W.H. Myles, M.B.E. , M.A. , (Trawler Owner, Hull), Mr. F. Parkes Trawler owner, Fleetwood). Mr. H. E. Rees. Trawler Owner, Milford Haven). Mr. A. Robertson Transport & General ’Workers’ Union). Mr. H. J. Suff1ing English Herring Boat Owner). Mr. J. Thomson Ministry of Agriculture & Fisheries). Mr. A.T.A. Dobson, C.B. , C.V.O. , C.B.E. , (Fisheries Secretary, to the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries) will be Chairman of the Committee and Mr. F. R. Cook (Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries, Dept. O.J.) 10, Whitehall Place, S. W. 1. , Secretary. INDIAN AFFAIRS 13. 11. 39 - No. 5. The Government of Burma has sanctioned the establishment of an air centre at Mingaladon Aerodrome to provide facilities for the training of young Burmans in flying. EMPIRE AFFAIRS. 13/11/39 - No. 7. GOVERNOR GENERAL COLONEL-IN-CHIEF OF SOUTH AFRICAN AIR FORCE. The Governor General of South Africa, Sir Patrick Duncan, with the approval of the King, has accepted appointment as Colonel-in-Chief of the South African Air Force. The creation of a new military command in South Africa is also announced - namely the South West Africa Command, comprising the Mandated Territory and the port and settlement of Walvis Bay, to which, under a recent proclamation, the South Africa Defence Act applies. Citizens in South West Africa have for some time past urged the Union Government to create a military organisation in the territory. 13/11/39* - NO. 8. RADIO FOR R. A. F, An appeal to the public (not to be quoted as an Air Ministry announcement). Units of the Royal Air Force are serving in many lonely parts at home and overseas and the luxury most in demand is a radio set with which to keep in touch with home news and entertainment. The Majority of the .requests received from units by the R. A. F. Comforts Fund are for portable radio sets eloquent testimony of the hunger for contact with home. A well-known firm of radio manufacturers has offered to provide one thousand sets at less than cost price, and the Comforts Fund is anxious to raise £5,000 quickly in order to take advantage of this generous offer. Members of the public who would like to show appreciation of the vigilance and heroism of the men of the Royal Air Force may do so by contributing; to this end, and donations,which will be acknowledged, should be sent to the Officer in Charge, R. A. F. Comforts, Berkeley House Square, Berkeley Square, London, W. 1. PROM AIR AFFAIRS, EMPIRE AFFAIRS 13/11/39 - No. 9. CANADA’S GREAT HARVEST COMPARISON WITH GERMAN FIGURES The High Commissioner for Canada in London is advised from the Dominion Bureau of Statistics at Ottawa that the Canadian Wheat Crop of 1939 is nov/ estimated at 478,965,000 bushels. Last year’s final estimate for the wheat crop was 350,010,000 bushels, whilst the average for the five years 1932/1936 was 300,390,000. The estimate for this year’s crop represents a revision upwards of the preliminary estimate of 449,058,000 bushels, issued by the Bureau on September 8, which had been widely regarded as an underestimate of one of the largest crops ever harvested in the Dominion. The crop in the Prairie Provinces is now estimated at 452,000,000 bushels, comparing with the September estimate of 422,000,000 bushels and with the final estimate for 1938 amounting to 326,000,000 bushels. The Manitoba crop is now estimated at 63,000,000 bushels, comparing with 51,000,000 bushels in 1936* That of Saskatchewan is calculated at 239,000,000 bushels, as against 132,000,000 last year, whilst the Alberta crop is estimated at 150,000,000 bushels, comparing with 143,000,000 bushels a year ago. The crop of oats reached 385,930,000 bushels, as compared with the 1938 total of 371,382,000 bushels. Canada’s barley crop this year is estimated at 103,266,000 bushels, a slight increase on the 102,242,000 bushels harvested in 1938. The rye crop totalled 15*307>000 bushels, as against 10,988,000 bushels in 1938, whilst the crop of flax-seed aggregated 2,149*000 bushels as compared with 1,389*000 bushels a year ago. (Canada’s record wheat crop was harvested in 1928, when the total reached 566,726,000 bushels. In the previous the total year, 479*665,000 bushels had been reaped, whilst in 1923 was 474,199,000 bushels. This year’s crop is the third largest in the history of the Dominion, An Important feature of the 1939 wheat crop is the exceptionally high quality of the grain, of which no less than ninety per cent, appears to be in the first three grades: No. 1. Hard, No, 1. Northern and No. 2. Northern). It is interesting to compare the figures mentioned above with the relevant figures from Germany (which latterly embraced Austria and Czechoslovakia.) In 1939 this Germany produced 205*2 million bushels of wheat, this comparing with 232.6 million bushels for 1938, and with an average for the five years 1932-1937 of 188.6 million bushels. Of oats Germany produced 470.3 million bushels in 1939* 496.7 million bushels in 1938, and an average during the five years 1932-1937 of 435*3 million bushels. The German "barley figures for 1939 were 194*9 million bushels, for 1938, 220.3 million bushels, and for the five years 1932-3-937 an average of 170.5 million bushels. And of rye, Germany produced million bUßbels in 1939» compared with 381*8 million-h.uaJhe.ls in 1938, and with an average for the five years 1932-1937 322.4 million bushels. 13/11/39 - No.l0. FOR PRESS AND BROADCAST. Public dances and similar entertainments, held in villages and small towns in country districts for sociable and charitable purposes, may be allowed to continue after the present closing hour of 11 o'clock in England and Wales under an Order which has been made by Sir John Anderson, the Home Secretary. This Order gives Chief Constables power to allow occasional use of premises after 11 o'clock for entertainments of this kind* to which the public are admitted on payment, in cases where the number of persons attending would be small and where no transport difficulties would be involved. HOME OFFICE. 15/11/39 - No 11 FOR PRESS AND BROADCAST The Home Secretary has made an order under the Administration of Justice (Emergency Provisions) Act,1939, altering the hours of sitting of the Metropolitan Police Courts. The order comes into operation on 20th November. As from that date the Metropolitan Police Courts, other than the Greenwich and Woolwich Courts, will sit from 9.30 a.m„ until 4*30 p.m. The Greenwich Court will sit from 9.30 a.m. to 12.30 p.m. and the Woolwich Court will sit from 2.0 p.m. to 4.30 p.m. The Courts may sit till a later time on any day if the state of business requires it, and it is also provided that a court may be closed at 3.30 p.m. if the whole of the business for that day has been concluded. HOME OFFICE, 13.11, 39 - No, 12. MINISTRY OF FOOD ANNOUNCEMENT DISPOSAL OF HIDES AND SKINS In connection with the control of livestock, the Ministry of Food are considering the question of the distribution of hides and skins through the agency of markets registered by the Hide and Allied Trades Improvement Society (J. Lowden, Esq., Manager and Secretary, 22, Balliol Road, Liverpool 20) and the Scottish Hide Inspection and Improvement Federation (E.G. Walker, Esq, , Secretary, c/o J. Hewit & Sons, City Tan Works, Edinburgh). The Ministry wish to remind owners of unregistered markets that they must apply for registration to one of the Societies and that applications not receeived by 30th November 1939 cannot be considered in connection with the allocation of hides and skins at the commencement of control. EMPIRE AFFAIRS 13/11/39. - No. 13. SOUTH AFRICAN MEAT FOR GREAT BRITAIN South African exports of "beef and mutton to Great Britain will "be substantially assisted under a bounty system announced by the South African Meat Industries Control Board. Bounties will be paid on meat exported during a period of twelve months beginning November 16, 1939 up to a maximum of 10,000 carcasses 20,000 sides, and 40,000 quarters of beef. EMPIRE AFFAIRS. 13/11/39 „ - No. l4. ULSTER’S LINEN EXPORTS INCREASING- TRADE WITH THE U. S. A, As one of her main contributions to war-time schemes for the expansion of overseas trade, Ulster is to suspend, as far as possible, her linen manufactures for the home market, and to concentrate on exports to countries such as the United States of America and Canada. The value of Ulster’s overseas linen trade is the second most important item in the trade of the whole of the United Kingdom with the United States, and during the last eleven years it has averaged about £2,750,000 annually. Approximately 60 per cent, of Ulster linen manufactures are exported, chiefly to America, and the industry employs something like one-fifth of the working population of the Province. Since the beginning of this year, American linen imports from the United Kingdom have shown steady improvement, but there is ample room for development. Last year, the Anglo-American Agreement brought far-reaching tariff concessions for the linen export trade, and the good effects of these concessions are being increasingly felt by the industry. As to the raw material flax it is hoped that the guaranteed prices fixed for this year’s home crop by the Ministry of Supply will encourage farmers to increase the acreage of the crop. The Ulster Ministry of Agriculture aims at increasing the flax acreage from 20,000 to 50,000 by next spring. 13/11/39 - No, 15. The King has been pleased to approve that Sir Arthur Salter, K.C.B. M.P. , be appointed Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Shipping. 10* Downing Street, Whitehall* S.W.1. 13. 11. 39 - No. 16 Morning papers only not to be published on any - club tapes or by broadcast or in any other way before the morning of TUESDAY, 14 NOVEMBER: The King has been graciously pleased to approve the appointment of the Hon, Mr. Justice Nicolaas Jacobus De Wet, Chief Justice of the Union of South Africa, to be a member of His Majesty's most honourable Privy Council. 10, DOWNING STREET, S. W. 1, The War Office, London, S.W.l. 13th November, 1939. The War Office announces that the scheme whereby men may enlist voluntarily into certain arms will be continued, but men enlisting on or after November 15th will be required to join training units on December 15th, or in the case of a limited number of entrants for the Royal Armoured Corps on December 29th. From November 15th voluntary enlistment will be continued for Cavalry of the Line, Royal Armoured Corps, Royal Artillery, Royal Engineers and Infantry of the Line under the following conditions, as were formerly announced:~ Men who are accepted will receive one day’s pay and ration allowance and will be sent home until required to join their units. No pay or allowances will be admissible for the period between enlistment and the date of joining a unit. Age limits will be 22 to 35 years in Great Britain and 20 to 35 years in Northern Ireland. Voluntary Enlistments will continue for Household Cavalry. Foot Guards, Home Defence Battalions, Auxiliary Military Pioneer Corps, and certain other classes as at present. Full particulars can be obtained at any Recruiting Office, 13/11/39 - No. 18, NAVIGATIONAL WARNING. Anchorage is absolutely prohibited in the Firth of Clyde between a line drawn 090 degrees from Toward Point and a line drawn 286 degrees from Levan Point. Before entering the above area from southward all vessels must close the examination vessel off Toward Point and obtain instructions. No vessels are to pass eastward of Skelmorlie Bank. Ships disregarding this warning do so at their own peril. ADMIRALTY. S.W,1. AIR MINISTRY BULLETIN 13/11/39 - No. 19 ROYAL AIR FORCE ATTACK ON U-BOAT The Air Ministry announces An attack on an emeny submarine was made yesterday by a British reconnaissance aircraft of the Coastal Command, The submarine was on the surface when the attack was de- livered, It began to submerge rapidly as soon as the attack developed. A salvo of bombs was dropped and felly some on the port side and some on the starboard side of the submarine, One of them appeared to the pilot to make a direct hit when the submarine had reached periscope depth. This impression was confirmed by the air gunner. The sea was very rough at the time of the attack, and the "broken water made it impossible for signs of damage to "be accurately observed. 13/11/39 - No. 20. PRESS NOTICE ROYAL NAVAL WAR COMFORTS SCHEME The Navy League has offered its organization to assist in the Royal Naval War Comforts scheme which has already been announced by the Admiralty. The President of the Navy League is Lord Lloyd of Dolobran, and the Chairman (acting for Lord Beatty who is on active service) is Admiral Sir Sydney Fremantle. The Ladies’ Committee of the League, under the chairmanship of Lady Fremantle, is taking immediate steps to open depots through its branches throughout the country and in the Dominions for the receipt, sorting and packing of gifts intended for the Fleet. The Headquarters of the organization, which will be known as "The Navy League Royal Naval Comforts Scheme", will be at the head office of the Navy League, Grand Buildings, Trafalgar Square, London, W.C.2. , and enquiries should be sent to that address. Gifts either in kind or in cash will be welcomed, and may be sent to the above address, but should preferably be sent to the depot formed by the nearest branches of the Navy League when the address of that depot is known. The scheme will be worked in close co-operation with the Royal NavalWar Comforts Committee at the Admiralty, ADMIRALTY, Whitehall, S. W. 1. IMPORT LICENSING NOTICE TO IMPORTERS NO. 8 The Board of Trade announce that they are issuing an Open General Licence authorizing, until further notice, the importation into the United Kingdom of honey if consigned from any part of the British Umpire, except Palestine and Transjordan, whether imported before, on, or after the l4th November. Imports of honey may therefore now be effected without further licensing if consigned to the United Kingdom from a British Empire territory (except Palestine and Transjordan, for which individual licences are still required). The Board of Trade also announce that no licences will be issued until further notice for the impor tation of honey from foreign countries. 13th November , 1939. Import Licensing Department, Board or Trade, 25 Southampton Buildings., Chancery Lane, London, W.C.2. EMPIRE AFFAIRS 13/11/39 - No. 22. SOUTH AFRICAN MINISTER’S APPEAL. THE "LARGER LOYALTIES" OF THIS WAR. At a meeting in Johannesburg today, Mr, J.H. Hofmeyr, South African Minister of Finance, appealed to his audience to appreciate the larger issues for which this war is being fought. ”I ask you” he said, "to pledge your loyalty, not to the Government of South Africa, but to South Africa itself, never forgetting that that loyalty must he broadened out to the larger loyalties, loyalty to our common humanity, to the common brotherhood of man. The war will end and peace will come again. This time, please God, it will he an enduring peace, but it can only be enduring if it is based on the ideal of the common brotherhood, for which we have entered the war". MINISTRY OF FOOD ANNOUNCEMENT 13/11/39 - No. 23. DRIED FRUITS An Order has been made by the Ministry of Food amending the Dried Fruits (Maximum Prices) (No*2) Order, 1939. The amendment takes effect immediately. The effect of the amendment is to fix maximum wholesale and retail prices for Calamata Figs of 38/6 per cwt* and 5 1/2 d. per lb*, respectively. For Calamata Figs packed in special wrappings under registered trade marks as specified in Part II of the Schedule to the original Order the additional charges are 7/- per cwt. and Id per lb. The amendment also provides for a maximum wholesale price of 38/- per cwt. for manufacturers’ currants. EMPIRE AFFAIRS, 13/11/39 - No. 24. RECEPTION TO MR,, ANTHONY EDEN INFORMAL EMPIRE GATHERING Mr. Anthony Eden, Secretary of State for the Dominions, will be the guest of honour at an informal sherry party to he held at Overseas House, Headquarters of the Overseas League, on Thursday, He will be welcomed by guests from all parts of the Empire, and the visiting Dominions Ministers from Canada, Australia, New Zealand and South Africa, the representative of the Government of India, Sir Zafrulla Khan, and the High Commissioners, are hoping to be present 13/11/39 - No. 25. The Minister of Supply announces that he has appointed Mr. R.Hugh Roberts as Deputy Director-General of Equipment and Stores in the department of the Ministry of which Lord Woolton is Director-General. Mr. Roberts has undertaken to serve in an advisory capacity. Mr. Roberts is a member of the Grand Council of the Federation of British Industries, industrial adviser to H.M.Commissioner for Special Areas, and Chairman of Fisher & Ludlow Ltd,, the Birmingham Guild Ltd., and several other companies. He is 56 years of age, was educated at King Edward School, Birmingham, and Birmingham University. He is the author of various memoranda on industrial conditions in America and Canada as well as of works on finance end industrial administration. He lives at Stratford-on-Avon, MINISTRY OF SUPPLY 13/11/39 - No. 26. OFFICIAL ADMIRALTY COMMUNIQUE Today two attacks on the Shetlands were made "by enemy aircraft which were driven off "by anti-aircraft gunfire. The "bombs dropped did no damage*. FRENCH OFFICIAL COMMUNIQUE. 13/11/39 No. 27. The following official communique was issued from French G.H.Q. this evening A certain number of enemy aircraft flew over North-Eastern France during the night of the 12-13th November. Usual patrol activity especially to the East of the Saar. AIR MINISTRY BULLETIN. 13/11/39. No. 28. NOT TO BE QUOTED AS AN AIR MINISTRY ANNOUNCEMENT - RAIDER REPULSED OFF THE EAST COAST Royal Air Force fighter aircraft raced against time and the clouds when they chased a German raider over the East Coast today. A hide-and-seek fight followed. In of cloud conditions, which made it the spite easy for enemy to escape one of our pilots raked him with bullets at a / range little greater than the length of a cricket-pitch. Three British fighters were patrolling the coast above the cloud-level when they sighted a German flying-boat a few miles further out to sea and two thousand feet below them. They raced in pursuit. The enemy, twisting away, dived towards the clouds. With only seconds to spare, the leader of the British flight swooped down behind them. The British pilot opened fire at a few hundred yards range, but managed to engage the enemy closely before he disappeared into the clouds. The German rear-gunner replied with tracer bullets, but without effect. The British fighters hunted among the clouds; then, for a moment, their leader again sighted the German and fired. A piece of the enemy's port-wing fell off. Handicapped and the raider took in the this time far from his base, cower clouds, when only a few hundred feet above the sea. 13.11.39 - No. 29. OFFICIAL ADMIRALTY COMMUNIQUE. The German steamers Mecklenburg 8,000 tons, and Parana 6,000 tons, have been intercepted by British warships. The crews abandoned their ships leaving them in a After the crews had been picked up by our sinking condition. warships the two ships were finally sunk by gunfire to avoid any chance of their being a danger to navigation.