BRITISH ARMS PRODUCTION

Press, Volume LXXVI, Issue 22907, 2 January 1940, Page 8

BRITISH ARMS PRODUCTION

EXTENT INDICATED BY MINISTER

AUSTRALIA SUPPLYING ANTI-AIRCRAFT GUNS

(BBITIBB OITICIAt WTBELESS.) (Received December 30, 1.55 p.m.) RUGBY, December 29. The French Minister for Munitions (M. d'Autry) will visit London next week to confer with the British Minister for Supply (Dr. E. L. Burgin) on supply matters affecting the two countries.

Some indication of the. extent of the Government's war orders was given by Dr. Burgin when he disclosed that from the outbreak of the war to December 19 orders had been placed by the Ministry totalling £234,000.000, without including the sums under continuing contracts for raw materials. • The Dominions and India have been in contact with the Government on matters of supply, and Dr. Burgin revealed that Australia was supplying not only ores and gun equipment, but also the most modern anti-aircraft guns.* • . The Minister said that his Ministry was in full working order a month before the war and Britain had been able to buy up the entire output of the necessary raw materials at pre-war prices, thereby assuring both a constant supply and a great saving. . Twenty new ordnance factories had been out in hand at a cost of £45,000,000, and the Government had extended contractors' factories in 300 cases at a cost of £10.000.000. Next year Britain's <*un and ammunition outnut would exceed the maximum effort attained in the last war. and alreadv. in the four weeks of December. British steel production was the highest ever achieved in one month.

GERMAN PROTEST TO ALLIES

USE OF MANDATED TERRITORIES LONDON, December 29. The German Government has protested to Britain and France, presumably through Sweden, against the use of mandated territories for war purposes. The Berlin correspondent of the Associated Press of Great Britain states that the protest is prompted by Germany's close watch on the operations in Syria of General Weygand (Commander .of the French Forces in the East). Authorised quarters describe the protest as logical and as interesting all members of the League, since the mandates are entrusted to England and France solely as trustees. Authorised circles add that German East Africa is also under observation.

GOERING STAYS AT HOME

ACTIVITIES OF NAZI LEADERS DISPUTE WITH HITLER SUGGESTED LONDON, December 29. Field-Marshal Goering's absence from Christmas festivities in the Reich has caused comment. The "Daily Mail" states that Herr Hitler and General von Brauchitsch went to the front, Herr Rudolf Hess and Dr. <Goebbels made speeches, and other Nazi leaders were active, but Field-Marshal Goering stayed at his country home. The French radio mentions reports that Field-Marshal Goering is not satisfied with the friendly policy towards the Soviet. Madame Tabouis, writing in "L'Oeuvre," states: "Herr Hitler's coldness towards Field-Marshal Goering dates, from the kidnapping of the two Britons in Holland, who, he says, were in communication with Field-Marshal Goering. The Gestapo tracked the correspondence, and Herr Hitler ordered the Britons to be questioned about how far Field-Marshal Goering's policy differed from his own. Other sources report that FieldMarshal Goering is deliberately keeping in the background until a definite issue emerges from the violent discussions which are believed to be raging about the future conduct of the war and about GermanSoviet relations.

AUSTRALIAN AIRMEN IN BRITAIN

COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF'S INSPECTION

CBBITIBB OTTtCUI WTBEtJESS.)

RUGBY, December 30.

The Australian airmen who arrived in London on Monday were inspected to-day by the Commander-in-Chief of the Coastal Command (Air Chief Marshal Sir Frederick Bowhjll).

Addressing the men, Sir Frederick Bowhill said: "What I have seen gives me the greatest satisfaction. Not only am I proud to have you in my command, but I am proud you are here to help us in'the great task of defending this great Empire. That you will carry out your, duties truly and well goes without saying. I congratulate your commanding Officer."

The inspection took place at a Royal Air Force station near a west coast port. The Australian airmen will fly the famous Sunderland flying-boats, and their duties will include anti-submarine work and general sea reconnaissance. •

They will join two Royal Air Force squadrons who have already distinguished themselves, one of their exploits being the .daring Kensington Court rescue, for which a number of their members were awarded some of the earliest decorations of the war.