URGENT ISSUES

Auckland Star, Volume LXXIV, Issue 33, 9 February 1943, Page 3

URGENT ISSUES

Magnitude Of Task Facing British People MARITIME POWERS' ROLE Rec. 12.30 p.m. RUGBY, Feb. 8. The magnitude of the task facing the British people, now that Mr. Churchill has returned to London from concerting this year's plans, is the subject of urgent discussion in the Press. The Times considers that, of the two principal and over-riding preoccupations, the first is the need to master the menace of U-boats. "Once their striking power has been met and broken." the paper says, "the defeat of Germany is certain and only the duration of the process remains in doubt. But, so long as the present rate of shipping losses continues and German shipbuilding, after allowing for the submarines sunk, can keep up the net increase in their numbers—estimated at present as ten per month—there can be no certainty of victory. "The other urgent necessity in the coming months is to merge the war of the maritime powers against Germany more fully with that being so mightily waged by Russia." Mr. Churchill held a conference of Cabinet colleagues and military chiefs last night within a few hours of his return to London.