PLANNING AFTER THE WAR

Press, Volume LXXVIII, Issue 23810, 2 December 1942, Page 3

PLANNING AFTER THE WAR

U.S. BATTLESHIP TO BE LAUNCHED

SINKING OF ORONSAY CLAIMED

BRITISH POLICY SOUGHT GOVERNMENT CRITICISED i Special Correspondent N.Z.P.A.) (Rec. 10 p.m.) LONDON, Nov. 30. Post-war reconstruction. both national and international, is figuring more in the public mind after the events of the last momentous month. There is a noticeable tendency to criticise the Government for not paying sufficient and evident attention to this question, but it is expected that some important views may be expressed in the House of Commons at its next sitting during the two-day debate on a Labour amendment to the Address-in-Reply, which wall be moved by Mr Arthur Greenwood. Interest will also be taken in (he reception given to the Beveridge committee's ■ report on social services, which will probably be debated at a later stage. Comment on this Beveridge report has aroused more interest throughout the country than any other domestic subject for some time. The general feeling is that there mpst not be a repetition of the events after (he last war, when, in the flush of victory, the impulse for reform, both social and administrative, was forgotten and dissipated. One of the features of this war in Britain has been the urge for general reform in many walks of life, and responsible minds desire to see a definite home poliev announced before the end of the war. That this has not been forthcoming so far is being increasingly commented upon. For instance, “The Times says. “What is looked for, and hitherto has been looked for in vain, is nothing less than a new home policy.” The “Observer” says: “The nation, we believe, is now 7 touched with a poignant sense of its own past omissions and its own high opportunity. Anxieties for the future are mingled with, the most ardent and eager aspirations. Evidence abounds of this expectancy.” These quotations are views Horn the Right. From the Left there has been a tendency to express the opinion that there is something sinister in the fact that no home policy has been enunciated, and the remark by Lord Croft that there will be no need for a new order after the war has been seized on by some sections as an indication that the Right will .be content to return to a pre-war worlo. Mr Churchill's latest speech has been observed both as falling short in its grasp of the need for immediate planning of post-war policies (this being the view of the Labour “Daily Herald"), but also including the notable feature of passages referring to the future in the form of continued collaboration between the Allies in the tasks of peace. The latter view is from the Liberal “News Chronicle,” which comments that Mr Churchill in the past has “shown himself somewhat impatient of this integral aspect of the war effort." Trade Issues British industrialists have been stating their views on post-war reconstruction. One opinion is that the crucial issue of planning post-war trade may be protection against free trade. It is observed that there is a clear conflict of views. On the one hand there are what Sir Raymond Streat, chairman of the Colton Board, calls “the deep shelter brigade,” who take a gloomy view of Britain’s prospects, and want protection at home and bi-lateral barter agreements to secure export trade, £1 for £l, against every unavoidable import, while on the other hand, another section, taking the Atlantic Charter seriously, recognises that Britain is pledged to reduce trade barriers and remove discrimination against the trade of peoples as a means to an expanding world economy. This whole question of post-war reconstruction promises to come increasingly to the forefront, and irritation, if not friction, may be expected if the Government continues to remain silent upon it. >

CHINESE ATTACK IN CANTON

POSITIONS STORMED IN BOMBED SUBURB (Rec. 11.45 p.m.) CHUNGKING. Dec. 1. * A Chinese communique says that the Chinese opened concerted attacks, storming Japanese positions in a re- ! cently bombed northern suburb of. Canton. They burned a Japanese \ warehouse and a barracks, and de- j stroyed enemy vehicles and material, j inflicting heavy casualties. Japanese artillery unsuccessfully at- 1 tempted to wipe out the British Par- ; liamentary delegation at present in, China. They poured 73 shells into a< position just an hour after the mission' had departed.

(Rec. 9 p.m.) PHILADELPHIA, Nov. 30. The United States Navy has an-, nounced that the battleship. New Jersey, the heaviest ever built in the United States, will be launched at the Philadelphia Navy Yard on December 7. Although her exact tonnage « a secret, the New Jersey will have a greater displacement than the lowa, launched on August 27. Both were originally announced at 45,000-ton ships. Their design was latei changed incorporating the results o: battle experience.

ITALIAN NEWSPAPER REPORT (Rec. 9 p.m.) LONDON. Nov. 3 The Italian newspaper “Giornal dTtalia” claims that an Italian subm? rine sank the liner Oronsay (20.0 C tons). Three torpedoes hit the line which w r as able to lower boats befoi it sank.

100 CONCRETE SHIP!

CONSTRUCTION IN U.S. ANNOUNCED (Rec. 9 p.m.t NEW YORK. Nov. : The United States Maritime Comm sion has announced that 100 concrc ships, allowing the saving of 30 p cent, in steel, are being constructed five shipyards. Two were recent launched and the remainder arc c peeled to be in service within ni months.

Half of Ship Brought to Port Thirty-three men who kept the uf end of their ship afloat by scab doors and putting out boiler Hi after a torpedo had dissected the v sel, have arrived at a United Sta east coast port. During the night ll passed, but were unable to help. men on the forward half of the si who signalled that they were sinki " Ten men, who were on life-rafts also missing,—New York. Novem 30. Ambassador to Moscow.—The F ish Ambassador in Moscow (Sir An bald Clark Kerr) has arrived in I don on leave. He saw the Fori 'Secretary (Mr R. A. Eden) yesten —London. November 30. “RETURN AT DAWN’’ THE VIVID STORY OF THE K BOMBER SQUADRON OF THE R The whole story of how it is done the men who do it . . . the opera of the N.Z. Bomber Squadron of R.A.F., written by H. A. St. Gc Saunders, author of “The Battle Britain,” full of photographs. E New Zealander wants a copy. 2/6 (, age extra). Simpson and Williams,. 238 High street, Christchurch.