WAR DECLARED ON AXIS

Press, Volume LXXIX, Issue 23918, 9 April 1943, Page 5

WAR DECLARED ON AXIS

ACTION BY BOLIVIA

GENERAL MOBILISATION ORDERED (N.Z. Press Association—Copyright)

(Rec. 11 p.m.) LA PAZ, April 8. Bolivia, the thirty-third nation to do so, has entered the war on the side of the United Nations. General mobilisation has been ordered. The Bolivian Defence Council announce!’ to-day that a state of war existed with the Axis Powers. The Bolivian Foreign Minister said this concerned Germany. Italy, and Japan and the other nations associated with them.

The President of Bolivia (General Penaranda) is going to Washington to discuss means of co-ordinating Bolivia’s war potential with that of the other United Nations. .

BRITISH MINISTER TO VATICAN ARRIVAL IN LONDON TO REPORT (Rec. 11.30 p.m.' LONDON. April 8. Mr Francis D’Arcy Osborne, British Minister to the Holy See, landed in London by aeroplane. He will report to the Foreign Secretary (Mr R. A. Eden) without delay on conditions in Italy as viewed from the Vatican. Italian police escorted Mr Osborne through the streets of Rome to the Guidonia airport outside the city, where, surrounded by saluting Italians, he entered an aeroplane which was given safe conduct facilities to fly over Axis territory. Mr Osborne has not visited London since 1938, and since 1940 he has lived continuously in the Vatican City.

SYDNEY WHARF STRIKE

SECRET BALLOT TO BE HELD (Rec. 1 a.m.r SYDNEY, April li A secret ballot of wharf labourers is to be held immediately to decide whether the Sydney waterfront strike shall be called off, and work accepted under the gang system. This was the outcome of a meeting of more than 4000 men to-day. The chairman ruled that a, division on the voices was too close for him to determine the result. - Hostile elements several times attempted lo take charge of the meeting and had to be prevented from invading the platform.

Mr Curtin had asked that the men should consider their attitude as soon as possible, and give a definite answer. This ' had been promised to-day, but a secret ballot will probably take two days to complete. Meanwhile, after 11 days’ experience soldiers have become expert wharf labourers. Men from a northern battiest .tion discharged 2500 tons of cargo in 18 hours. Such a job would normally take double that time. For a wager 9th Division soldiers moved 160 bales of jute sacks in 45 minutes instead of two hours, which would have been considered a reasonable task. Th » soldiers, although they receive IJd an hour compared with the labourers’ 3l B|d, say they like the work.

STATEMENTS BY, PROFESSOR

OBJECTION BY N.S.W. - STATE ASSEMBLY VIEWS ON RELIGION AND EDUCATION, SYDNEY. April T. The New South Wales State Legislative Assembly, by a unanimous vote, has censured Professor John Anderson for his statements on religion and education. Professor Anderson is professor of philosophy at Sydney University. »

Speaking at a meeting of the New Education Fellowship, Professor Anderson said: “The teaching of religion has an important political character because it promotes the extension of credulity, which is a very desirable thing from the point of, view of the ruling order. It spreads the habit of submission, which induces people to accept authority without questioning. The child is conscious of God as a policeman he can’t dodge."

Professor Anderson’s statements have been challenged by educational and religious leaders. The motion passed by the Legislative' Assembly ■ sets out “that Professor Anderson’s statements are a.travesty of the Christian religion and are calculated to undermine the principles of the constitution of the Christian State; and that this House should bring the statements under the notice of the University Senate.” The Sydney University Senate has already asked Professor Anderson to submit a full account of his statement. [Professor Anderson has held the chair of philosophy at Sydney University since 1927. He was born and educated in Scotland, and graduated from Glasgow University, where he was afterwards lecturer in philosophv. From 1920 to 1927 he was lecturer m philosophy at Edinburgh University. He is editor of the Australasian Journal of Psychology and Philosophy. His published works include “Education and Politics” and “Some Questions in Aesthetics.”]

N.Z. SPITFIRE SQUADRON

PILOT FROM HOKITIKA TO BE LEADER (Special Correspondent. N.Z.P.A.) LONDON. April «. A distinguished New Zealand pilot has been appointed to command the 2nd New Zealand Fighter Squadron, which is engaged in patrol work off the south coast of England. He is Squadron, Leader Desmond J. Scott, D.F.C. and Bar, of Hokitika. Squadron Leader Scott, who is 24 years old, is regarded so highly by the Fighter Command that he rose from sergeant to squadron leader in nine months. Squadron Leader Scott shot down at least five enemy aircraft while flying long-range Hurricanes on m.ght intruder patrols. He used to wait over German aerodromes in enemy-occu-pied territory and swoop down on landing aircraft. He has also carried out attacks against shipping, flying four-gun Hurricanes, He was awarded the D.F.C. last May, the citation stating that he had displayed great skill and keenness, his exceptional devotion to duty being an admirable example. He was av'arded a bar to the D.F.C. last September,

He succeeds Squadron Leader C. L. C. Roberts, an Englishman, who has led the squadron since its formation. The squadron’s score is now 12i, and “Scotty,” as he is known generally, is determined to improve that total.