DOMINION TROOPS.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 60, Issue 78, 12 January 1940, Page 3

DOMINION TROOPS.

TONIC FOR THE BORED. THE AUSTRALIANS POPULAR. LONDON, January 3. “There are no more cheerful pictures in the newspapers than those of the stalwart sous of Australia and Canada who have come London,” says the “Star” in a leading article. “These bronzed youths, rejoicing in the double zest of their strength and a new adveuturo, are a line tonic Jor the Lamed. These welcome visitors are the best testimony of the vitality of the young Dominions and their presence here is proof of the unity of the pire“We suggest that the Ministry or Information circulate these pictures to all the world ns the best reply to German propaganda, on our ‘crumbling Empire.’ ” “The English are treating us well, although wo are stealing their girls, said one of the Australian airmen to-day. The Australians modestly attribute their popularity to their darkblue uniforms, which British officers admit are smarter than those of the Royal Air Force. • Australian officers emphasised that their men here are developing valuable reconnaissance technique, which could rapidly be applied in Australia if they were forced to combat sea raiders. They point out that the Emdon’s chances nowadays would ho far slimmer than they were in the last war. Air patrols were forcing U-boats, which formerly imprudently operated within 10 miles of the English coast, to remain submerged. One, after sinking a vessel, loitered on the surface, only to find a Sunder-

land flying-boat sweep from the clouds and drop a bomb on the conning-tower. Sunderlands now have to travel many miles to find a U-boat. A spokesman for the Air Ministry paid a tribute to the success of the Sunderlands, which Australia had placed at the disposal of the British authorities. The Australian’s arrival coincided with, a cold snap, but they have enthusiastically taken up their routine work, including rowing out in the darkness to the flying-boats, which are lit only bv flares.