BRITAIN’S WAR EFFORT

Press, Volume LXXVI, Issue 23177, 14 November 1940, Page 7

BRITAIN’S WAR EFFORT

Uneasiness in Some Quarters “ALARMING DROP IN PRODUCTION” (Received November 14, 12.50 a.m.) LONDON, November 18. An undercurrent of Uneasiness about Britan’S war effort is discernible in Parliament and In sections of the British newspapers. Critics complain of: (1) Failure to unite the nation for total war; (2) lack of aggressive spirit; (3) weak administration by some Ministers; (4) undue optimism about production; (8) failure to grapple with shipping losses; (6) slacking by dockers. As to the latter problem, the “Daily Express” publishes an Interview 'With a representative shipowner who bluntly declares that the dockers at his port are slacking. A gang which Used to unload ICO tons a day now handles only 110 tons, which is equivalent to a daily loss of 18,000 tons of food, materials, and munitions from overseas. It now takes five days and a half to unload a ship with 0000 tons of cargo, where It formerly occupied three days. This shipowner says that the men will not W'ork on Saturday afternoons, but will work on Sundays, when double pay Is assured. The "Dally Express” has consulted impartial authorities, who have confirmed an alarming falling off In production. It has also Interviewed many dockers and has ascertained that hundreds are content to earn just enough for their w'ants and to spend the rest of the week on the dole,