SWITZERLAND CHARTERS SHIPS

Press, Volume LXXV, Issue 22877, 25 November 1939, Page 1 (Supplement)

SWITZERLAND CHARTERS SHIPS

Switzerland has chartered 15 stops, totalling 115,000 tons, for the duration of the war from countries likely; to'remain neutral. They will bear Swiss markings, but will not fly the Swiss flag. - Switzerland is a Federal republic of Europe. Entirely inland, it is enclosed by France, Germany, Austria, and Italy. Higher Petrol Tax • The retail price of petrol will probably be raised by 6d a gallon in Victoria, Australia, shortly. The increase will be oxtade up of duty 3d, the oil companies'. portion 2d, and the retailers' share of Id a gallon. Such a rise would affect petrol consumption to such an extent that the rationing, of petrol would be unnecessary. The .increase will assist the Commonwealth Government to finance'its huge defence expenditure. iNew Fuel for Motor-Cars An Italian motor repairer has invented » device for propelling ir.6tor-cars by the. electrolysis of water, splitting it into rts gaseous components, getting, rid of the oxygen, and using the hydrogen mixed with, other chemicals to form gas fuel. The speed attained by the use of this gas equals that of petrol, but,the cost is only Id a mile. Antarctic Expedition , The North Star, the first ship of the United States Antarctic expedition under RearAdmiral R. E. Byrd, has sailed. It is commanded by Captain Isak Lystad and has a crew of 30. The ship carries scientific equipment and food supplies. . South America and the War The historian, Mr Philip Guedalla, on bis return to New York from a recent lecture tour in South America, said: *SouthAmerica is definitely pro-Ally. The more Nazi propaganda there is the more the anti-«azx sentiment grows." Higher Wages in Britain The British Ministry of Agriculture announces a new schedule of wages for agricultural workers. The increases range mm 2s to 3s a day. 7 "