LOSS OF SLEEP

Auckland Star, Volume LXXV, Issue 181, 2 August 1944, Page 5

LOSS OF SLEEP

LONDONERS TIRED Effects Of Flying Bombs Comparable To Blitz N.Z.P.A. Special Correspondent Rec. 10.30 a.m. LONDON, Aug. 1. The weather, flying bombs and annual holidays are at present among the chief subjects of interest for people in southern England, apart from the war. Until the middle of July Britain had two months of atrocious summer weather. Day after day grey rain clouds blanketed out the sun with regular monotony, which has been broken only by the number of bombs which reached the London area daily. It is now not an over-statement to say that the Empire's capital is a shabby city with an air of tiredness. Many fresh gashes have appeared in the London asrea, adding new eyesores to the half-repaired ravages of the blitz, and while whole areas of buildings are untouched yet everywhere may be seen pockmarks of old and new damage. As to the effect of flying bombs on the people censorship does not allow comparison with the blitz bombing, but the fact that a bigger exodus of . people has occurred recently than in the early days of the war may be taken as an indication that it is at least comparable. Rest in Coastal Areas It is the loss of sleep which is trying and the Germans recently seem to have been sending over more bdmbs at night time than during the day. One result is that the Home Secretary, Mr. Morrison, has asked the police in several banned coastal areas not to turn back people from London who enter their particular zones temporarily. They will not have to be rendered homeless for they can enter their coastal areas and the ban has been raised as far as they are concerned in order that they may get some rest.

This time of year is traditional holiday-making time, and in addition to evacuees, thousands of people have been leaving London for their annual break from work. Yesterday and Saturday the Faddington Station, for the first time in its history, was closed for five hours, due solely to the overcrowding of trains bound for the west country. Although special trains ran all night long thousands of people slept on the station awaiting their turn to leave next day. The coming weekend is the August bank holiday, and whether the scenes are likely to be repeated, is the subject of some speculation. Report on Balanced Farming Interest has been aroused in farming circles by the report of the Parliamentary and Scientific Committee, which advocated a new policy of balanced farming to promote prosperity for British agriculture, better food for the nation and improved houses, wages and conditions for land-workers. The report recommends an expenditure of at least £3,000,000 on research, price guarantees for periods of not less than three years. Lord Bledisloe, a former Governor-General of New Zealand, commented on the report as an "epoch-making document of comprehensive scope, farsighted vision, reliable scientific accuracy and invaluable suggestive practicability. Another subect of wide interest is the proposal that a 40-hour week shall be introduced in British industry after the war.

Disabled Pensioners The industrial correspondent of the Daily Herald forecasts that the report will be implemented within the next five years, but adds: 'The only real issue is whether it "will come by orderly methods —through legislation and negotiation—or by turmoil and strife."

Pensions for war widows and disabled servicemen and women is another topic which is receiving attention, and the British Legion is asking the Minister of Pensions, Sir Walter Womersley, to implement a scheme that will allow disabled pensioners to have an income up to £600 a year, and widows with children up to £400. FLYING BOMBS Historic Building In Southern England Damaged ARCHIVES BELIEVED SAVED Rec. 2 p.m. LONDON, Aug. 1. A flying bomb this morning extensively damaged a historic building in southern England. Among the documents saved in the strongroom were some dating back hundreds of years. The archives are believed to be undamaged. Valuable old prints on the walls of one room were almost unharmed and a marble statue stood on the staircase untouched among the wreckage. A bomb hit a three-storey block of flats just after occupants left an air raid shelter to go indoors and prepare for work. Two women were killed and four people were sent to hospital.