VITAL AERODROME

New Zealand Herald, Volume 79, Issue 24292, 5 June 1942, Page 3

VITAL AERODROME

BIG BATTLE_IN CHINA JAPANESE PRESSING HARD LONDON, June 4 A big battle is raging for possession of the aerodrome at Chuhsien, 50 miles away from Kinhwa. Possession of this aerodrome is considered by the Japanese of vital importance, for it could be used as a jumpingoff place for bombing raids on Japan. The fate of the important railway centre of Chuhsien liung precariously in tho balance last night, says the Associated Press correspondent, as the Japanese developed an attack in force, closing in on three sides upon the fiercely resisting Chinese garrison. In Kiangsi the Japanese, attacking from Ndnchang, the rail terminus, in an attempt to cut off the Chuhsien sector, were repulsed for the second consecutive day. Japanese forces winch landed near Tuchang, on the eastern shore of Poyang Lake, in the north of Kiangsi Province, also met with stiff resistance. The Chinese claimed that they sank 40 or 50 launches packed with Japanese soldiers. The Japanese also attempted to gain another foothold in south-eastern Chekiang by landing under cover of gunboats along the coast to the north-east of Wenchow, near Yuhwan Island, hut withdrew after heavy losses. The Chinese hold the initiative in Hupeh Province. GRAND STRATEGY DSSAPPOINTMENT IN CHINA NEW YORK, June 3 The New York Sun had a special interview to-day with General lisiung Shih-fei, who said that he arrived two months ago as personal representative of .Marshal Chiang Kai-shek to speak for China at the General Staff conferences on Allied grand strategv, but so far he had not heard of any discussion of grand strategy, and the question of over-all command of Allied operations was no nearer settlement It was his profound belief, lie said, that these questions were the most important factors in winning the struggle against the Axis and until they were realised he could see no hope of winning the war. General ITsrung said he was gravely concerned at present happenings. The China situation was the most perilous since the beginning of the China war. The interviewer said that, while the general did not say so bluntly, it was obvious in speaking with him that China was vastly disappointed in her Allies and that her faith in them _ was seriously shaken. Consequently China's confidence was impaired. AID BY ALLIES LONDON, June 3 Replying in the House of Commons to a question on the assistance now being given to China, the Foreign Secretary, Mr. Anthony Eden, said China was being furnished under the lendlease arrangement made by Britain and the United States with all the munitions of war and military equipment which it was possible to supply, having regard to other urgent, requirements and the difficulties of transport. The allocation of these munitions was made from a common pool by the Combined Munitions Assignment Board. UNITED STATES NAVY VAST BUILDING PROGRAMME (Reed. 5.35 p.m.) LONDON, June 3 The launching of two destroyers from a United States east coast port today gave point to the almost simultaneous announcement by the Secretary for Naval Affairs, Mr. Carl Vinson, that he was introducing legislation for a vastly increased navy programme estimated to cost 8,.'300,000,000 dollars, according to British official wireless. An agency message adds that this programme provides for 19,000.000 tons of new combatant vessels, including 500,000 tons of additional aircraftcarriers. There will also be some 800 small vessels for patrol and mine duties. Mr. Vinson predicted that tho originally projected two-ocean navy would probably be completed within the next two years. He believed the proposed programme would virtually double the number of ships of the present fleet. Besides aircraft-carriers he contemplated 500,000 tons of cruisers, both light and heavy, and 900,000 tons of destroyers and destroyer-escort vessels. A cablegram from Washington states that Rear-Admiral van Kenren, the chief of the Navy Bureau of Ships, informed the Naval Affairs Committee of the House of Representatives that approximately 100 or more combatant ships will he commissioned this year. The committee approved a measure authorising construction of 500,000 tons of auxiliarv ships at the cost of 1,100.000.000 dollars. In its most recent official disclosure the Navy Department reported thai :U6 fighting ships were in service and 347 building. UNIFORM TAXATION AUSTRALIAN BILL PASSED (Rccri. 11.30 p.m.) CANBERRA, June 4 Australia is now to have uniform taxation. The necessary legislation has been passed by the Senate by 20 votes to 1.2, after an all-night session. Four members of the Opposition supported the Government. Winding up the debate, the Minister of Trade and Customs, Senator R. V. Keane, referred to the Opposition's challenge as to the constitutional validity of the legislation. He said: "The Government has taken every possible legal safeguard. If tho day ever comes to this country when the High Court interferes with the considered decisions of the elected representatives of its people, its position may have to be looked into." The Opposition move to reduce the compensation to New South Wales from £15.356,000 to £13,726.000, was defeated. The deputy-Leader of the Opposition,. Senator Mcßride. said the Government had not taken into account the relief which New' South Wales would obtain from certain social services which had been taken over by the Coinmoinvealt h. Senator Keane said the compensation payable was based on the average collections of the States, taken on the 1939-10 and 1940-41 incomes. The Commonwealth. having taken over the payment for social services, would reduce only the New South Wales deficit. KEEN AIR ACTION ADVANCE IN MADAGASCAR LONDON, June 3 A message from Vichy states that the British occupied Androvorano, 25 miles southward of Diego Suarez, in Madagascar, following resumption of troop' movements. Air action on both sides has increased. HOUSE VOTES FOR WAR (Reed. 5.35 p.m.) WASHINGTON, June 3 The House of Representatives unanimously and without debate \otcd tnat the United States should declare war on Bulgaria, Hungary and Rumania. The Senate is expected to vote torn orrow. VISIT BY MUSSOLINI LONDON, Juno 3 The 8.8.C. observer in the Western Desert says there is good reason to believe that Mussolini may have gone to Libva. According to information received in the desert Mussolini is there to see his army and inspect the forward areas.