72,000 'PLANES BK 1942 BRITISH AIM.

Auckland Star, Volume LXXI, Issue 176, 26 July 1940, Page 7

72,000 'PLANES BK 1942 BRITISH AIM.

ORDER IN AMERICA.

Facilities For Purchasing

3000 A Month. NEW FACTORIES NEEDED. United Press Association.—Copyright. (Received 11 a.m.) WASHINGTON*, July 25. The Secretary of the Treasury, Mr. Henry Morgenthau, said the United States had pledged itself to provide every facility to enable the British to buy 3000 'planes a month, in addition to the huge orders already placed. This would require the construction of new factories, for which the British had promised to pay.

Ho added that the Treasury and the War and Navy Departments were in complete accord regarding the commitment, and details were being worked out.

The new factories, Mr. Morgenthau said, would give the United States a capacity to build a number far in excess of 50,000 annually. "The sums involved are colossal. The British seem to have plenty of money."

Mr. Morgcnthau said the British wanted 72,000 'planes in 1041 and 1942, additional to existing contracts. "From the standpoint of national defence," he said, "that is the best thing that has happened this year." He predicted that American capacity would be far in excess of President Roosevelt's announced goal of 50.000 'planes annually.

The British proposal was seriously received, and considered. "We have agreed to study the proposals and have given them every possible facility to place orders and get delivery." The cost would bo colossal, but lie had no doubt of the British ability to pay.

Officials deny Lord Beaverbrook's statement that the United States has approved the delivery of 3000 'planes a month to Britain. They admit they aro considering an expansion of production to at least 60,000 annually, to enable accommodation of the British order.

Private aircraft authorities describe the Britisl' proposals as fantastic, saying that .' merican production is not more than 600 'planes a month at present.