FARM PRICES IN U.S.

Press, Volume LXXVIII, Issue 23752, 25 September 1942, Page 5

FARM PRICES IN U.S.

MEASURE AMENDED BY HOUSE

“SERIOUS DEFEAT FOR PRESIDENT ” (N.Z. Press Association— Copyright.)

(Rec. 10.30 p.m.) WASHINGTON. Sept. 23. The farm bloc won a major victory over the Administration when the United States House of Representatives amended Mr Roosevelt's anti-inflation measure and included a requirement that all farm labour costs be computed in agricultural parity prices, thereby permitting higher farm price ceilings. The House yielded to overwhelming farm bloc pressure, in spite of a warning by the Democrat leader (Mr John W. McCormack) that Mr Roosevelt would veto the measure. The effect of the House amendment would be an increase in the parity base of 12 per cent, above the present level. , . . .. Fearing a similar defeat in the Senate, Administration leaders made strenuous efforts to compromise with the farm bloc, but the bloc had accumulated such powerful support that Senator A. W. Barkley asked that discussion be deferred until to-morrow. The “New York Times,” in a leading article, says: “The President and the nation met a serious defeat when the House rejected the urgent request to place the ceiling on farm prices at less than 110 per cent, of parity, while in the Senate the Administration, facing a similar defeat, called a recess to seek a compromise. “This irresponsible behaviour of Congress, which under pressure by the farm bloc has recklessly disregarded the public interest in a period of national crisis, is causing deep anxiety. “Congress deliberately chose to pervert a measure intended to control inflation into one promoting a price advance. Under the limelight of intense national attention, Congress has let the President down and let the country down. If it persists in this course Mr Roosevelt can do only one thing—veto the bill.”

BRITISH AIRCRAFT INDUSTRY

COMPARISON WITH U.S. CONDITIONS (8.0. W.) RUGBY. Sept. 23. Broadcasting to America, the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Aircraft Production (Mr J. A. Smith) said: “One of the greatest advantages you in the United States have in building aircraft is your ability to have huge mass-producing plants far from the risk of enemy interference. We have a few such huge factories. Some have been built underground, but for the most part our aircraft have had to be built in little factories and wayside garages, dispersed far and wide, for we have the enemy a mere 20 miles away. “Unlike the workers in America, ours, after a strenuous day—many work 60 hours a week and over—must return to a spell of duty with the civilian defence service, and they may be robbed of their sleep or their lives. The number of civilians killed in Britain in this war is greater than the number killed in action in the American armed forces in the whole of the first World War.

“In spite of our difficulties, our production figures have not ceased to rise steadily. It is not only in numbers of aircraft that the prodigious expansion of our effort is to be measured. Not only do we make more aircraft, but they grow heavier and more and more complicated. In the first half of 1942 we exported to Russia, the Middle East, and elsewhere well over three times the number of aircraft we imported.” QUALITY OF U.S. AIRCRAFT (Rec. 7 p.m.) WASHINGTON, Sept. 23. “The quality of American aeroplanes is improving. I have been definitely encouraged by what I have been told,” said Senator Harry S. Truman, chairman of the Senate committee investigating the war programme. Fifteen dfflcers, headed by Major-General Oliver P. Echols, appeared before the committee to protest against Senator Truman’s earlier statement that American fighters were inferior to Japanese Zeros.

Senator Truman said that the Air Force officers had presented the committee with highly confidential information on the strength and capability of America’s growing air power.

SHIPBUILDING RECORD

IBO.W.) RUGBY. Sept. 23. Breaking all shipbuilding records, one of'the Kaiser shipyards on the Pacific coast of the United States today launched a 10,000-ton Liberty cargo ship, 10 days after the keel was laid, says an agency message. , The ship will be delivered on September 27, making the time from keel-laying to delivery 14 days. Mr Henry J. Kaiser’s previous record was to launch a vessel 29 days after the keel was laid. That ship was delivered five days later.

HEAVY FIGHTING IN CHINA

JAPANESE ATTACKS NEAR HONAN BORDER

(Rec. 7 p.m.) CHUNGKING. Sept. 23. A Chinese communique says that heavy fighting is progressing west of Shanshien. near the Honan border. The Chinese are resisting attacks from two directions launched by Japanese and puppet Chinese. U.S. EXPERTS FOR INDIA (8.0. W.) RUGBY, Sept. 23. The Deputy Commander-in-Chief, India (General Sir Alan Hartley) said there were two categories of American experts who would come to India under the recommendations of the Grady mission. In the first place, leading industrialists would make a short visit to India in an honorary capacity. Second, American experts would be engaged by the Government of India on short term contracts of probably a year. The mission had not recommended the establishment of industries in India controlled by American interests.

Ecuador Officer Arrested—The Quito correspondent of the United Press of America says that Major Jorge Paez, former rnief of the Ecuador air force, has been arrested, charged with the improper use of 15,000 dollars of national defence funds. Major Paez was a member of the official mission to the United States at the time of the border fighting between Peru and Ecuador in July, 1941.—New York. September 23.

Mexican Defence Needs.—The Mexico City correspondent of the “New York Times” states that General, Abelardo, commander of tbs Mexican Gulf coast defences, declared that the United States was not sending Mexico enough arms to enable her to prepare adequately for war. He added: “We need more torpedo-boats, aeroplanes, and guns to fight submarines.”—New York, September 23. New Source of Quinine.—The Balboa (Panama) correspondent of the “New York Times” says an abundance of cinchona trees has been discovered in the jungles of Urabi. Tests of the bark revealed an extremely high content of quinine.—New York, September 23.