EXPAND OUTPUT

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVIII, Issue 23923, 25 March 1941, Page 7

EXPAND OUTPUT

AUSTRALIAN MACHINES ENORMOUS INCREASE SEQUEL TO PREMIER'S TOUR i LONDON, March 2'_> An enormous expansion of the Australian aircraft industry is expected as a result of the tour of the provinces by the Australian i Prime Minister, Mr. Menzies, and | t he Commonwealth Director of Air- " ! craft. Production, Mr. J. Storey, ' j during which tliey are inspecting the 1 principal aircraft production units. The tour is designed largely for con--1 lerenres with production managers and , technicians on aeroplane engines and parts. The oflieial inquiries will determine the methods Australia should ■ adopt in order to play an increasingly important part in the Umpire's defence. Mr. Menzies is investigating the extent to which Australia can increase production and build new types of aeroplanes and engines. Mr. Storey, as the result of investigations in all parts of Kngland, is understood to believe that Australia can play a far more important part in aircraft development than 1 she has done, in spite of the last two years' efforts. It is understood that Mr. Menzies is trying to encourage British manufacturers to undertake still further the production of dclenco and essential civil goods in Australia. It some manufacturers decide to do so. Australia is likely to see its indus- | trial importance rising, accompanied by an expansion of the aircraft industry. | It is considered that the opening of | new factories in Australia to accelerate i defence production will he Mr. Menzies first recommendations alter his return. .Many of these may manufacture defence goods under licence from important British manufacturers. Mr. Menzies has been emphasising Australia's machine tool output. ADVANCE IN WELDING SPEEDING AIRCRAFT OUTPUT DETROIT, March '_> a The Progressive Welder Company announced having perfected a new high-speed process of aluminium sheet welding which may shatter the riveting ■'bottle-neck'' in the United States aircraft production. It is said that tests showed that the new machine, which is ready for mass production, could produce a spot weld twice as strong as required by army specifications in one 300 th of a second. Adaptations make it usable in virtually every section of aeroplane assembly. GRIM SEA WARFARE "REAL POINT OF DANGER" MR. MENZIES AT PORTSMOUTH ißcrd. 7.10 p.m.) LONDON. March '_M The Prime Minister of Australia. Mr. Menzies, who underwent the latest air I raid ordeal at Plymouth, visited Portsmouth to-day. says the British official wireless. He said: "This air raid business is not going to conquer Britain. German armies certainly are not going to invade this country successfully." Mr. Menzies, who was greeting Australian officers and men serving with the Navy, added: "The enemy is not providing any spectacular battles, but is making up for it by his tactics so that we, as the British Empire, should have our Navy distributed all over the world. We should have immense patience in tracking him down, in protecting trade and commerce, and, above all, in seeing that enough food comes to this country. "These are not spectacular jobs, but are of enormous importance. As time goes on and this country gets more and more destroyers and other small craft, wo shall defeat what will probably bo the enemy's most serious attempt to overthrow us. "The real point of danger at this moment is on the water. That means that you have an effort going on which begins with inspired fellows working in dockyards and ends with men firing guns in ships at sea. i am proud to know that many Australians are in this country ready to piny their part." Mr. Menzies visited Nelson's famous flagship Victory. HUNGRY ITALIANS ATE DONKEYS AND CAMELS BRITISH SIEGE OF JARABUB

(Reed. 0.30 p.m.) LONDON, March 23 Emphasising that there wens no attacks against Jarabuh Oasis before the operation which resulted in the capture of this Italian outpost, in northeastern I.ihyri, the Cairo correspondent o! the Daily Telegraph says the Italians, to relieve their boredom, previously bewail to lire, oil aiimiunition and then reported to Homo that they were warding oil' British attacks. But the Imperial troops just waited for the surrender of the hungry Italians, who ato every donkey and camel in Jarabub. The Italians realised that General Sir Archibald Wavoll did not want to damage the Scnus.si holy places, so they put their headquarters in the mosque, parked their motor transport a. 11 around, and camped among the tanks and shrines. Many Italians deserted, knowing they had only to walk to the British linos to get a square meal. RAIDS ON MALTA TWO ATTACKERS DESTROYED < Herd. p.m.) LONDON, March 23 A large formation of enemy bombers escorted by fighters raided Malta yesterday, but tbe.v were chased out to sea by British lighters, which engaged the enemy. One British lighter was shot down by a .Mello, which in turn was destroyed by another .British airera ft. A second enemy machine was destroyed during week-end raids, and three more were badly damaged. ) SHIPMENTS TO EIRE STATE COMPANY FORMED LONDON, March •_>:! Eire has formed a State limited liability shipping company to tako the fullest advantage of any opportunity that may become available tor providing shipping facilities for the importation of essential commodities. The Minister of Finance will hold •T1 per cent of the share capital. Tho directors comprise representatives of the Government and existing Irish shipping companies.