U.S. BOMBERS IN NEW GUINEA

Press, Volume LXXIX, Issue 23940, 6 May 1943, Page 5

U.S. BOMBERS IN NEW GUINEA

MANY MISSIONS BY FORTRESS PILOTS '

OFFICER REPLIES TO MAGAZINE ARTICLE

(Special Australian Corresp,, N.Z.P.A.) (Rec. 8 p.m.) SYDNEY. May 3. So annoyed was an officer of a United States Army Air Corps Flying Fortress group in the New Guinea area at an article in an American news magazine, that he cabled a reply to the article at his personal cost,' paying £4 18s 2d for it. The article stated that United Slates flyers in a Fortress group in England were approaching “the magic figure of 30 missions.”

"Re your article concerning the umpteenth bombardment group," said the New Guinea officer's cablegram, “few in this New Guinea Boeing Flying Fortress group have less than 30 missions to their credit. Several of the boys are approaching, and a few have passed, the really magical mark of 60 missions over targets. Come on down and look us over.—Richard Wagner, Captain, United States Army Air Corps.” Captain Wagner’s pride in the record of the group is widely shared. For hours flown and results achieved since their first squadron went into action last August, the group has established many records. One airman sergeant who has just left the group because of ill-health has made 80 missions since he began combat flying in Hawaii. Of these, 70 have been made against targets in the south-west Pacific area.

One Flying Fortress group in New Guinea is stated to have more aircraft in commission out of the aircraft assigned to it than any other similar unit anywhere. This is the opinion of a Boeing Company service technician who has been attached to the group. He is one of a number of civilian experts sent to operational areas by the aircraft manufacturers to advise on repair and maintenance problems, and to suggest alterations in design, “While I have been here.” he said, “I have seen a complete machine made from the wrecks of two others. I never dreamed that work of such magnitude could be carried out in the open and without elaborate equipment. But the ground crews here are doing it and they are keeping a higher percentage of their aeroplanes in the ait than any similar group anywhere.”

STATEMENTS BY, PROFESSOR

UNIVERSITY SENATE’S VIEWS

REPLY TO N.S.W. STATE ASSEMBLY

(Rec. 11 p.m.) SYDNEY. May 5. No action will be taken by the Senate of the Sydney University against Professor John Anderson, who is professor of philosophy, for his statements on religion and education. This was stated in a letter to the New South Wales State Legislative Assembly in which strong opposition was expressed to any suggestion that the spirit of free inquiry should be stifled in the university.

The letter, which was signed by the Chancellor of the University (Sir Charles Bickerton Blackburn) added that every encouragement was given within the university to societies and groups whose object it was to foster Christian religion and promote knowledge and the observance of Christian principles. Professor Anderson’s statements provoked, wide controversy in which the right:,of,free speech and criticism has been strongly, defended.

The Legislative Assembly, by a unanimous vote, censured Professor Anderson for his statements on religion and education. 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 were challenged by educational and religious leaders. The motion passed by the Legislative Assembly set 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.” 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 philosophy. From .1920 to 1927 he was lecturer in 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.”

HIGHER AUSTRALIAN WOOL REVENUE

. , SYDNEY. May 9. Australia’s wool revenue for the current season, in spite of a decrease in the clip, is estimated at the record figure of £71,000,000. The highest revenue previously recorded was £66,644,396, in the 1927-28 season. The increase in revenue is due to the improvement in the British contract price. The average figure for the clip is I ? er lb ' com P a red with U.4375d for the three preceding seasons. Dry conditions in the growing period are the cause of a slight decline m production, which is estimated at less than 6 per cent.

ipf nnnnnn in ~ A !* stralis ? now total }^™ 0 ' 000 ' having increased by 12,000,000 in the last 10 years. New South vales produces 47 per cent, of the Australian clip.

AIRCRAFT FACTORY RESUMES WORK

(Roc. 7 p.m.) VANCOUVER, May 4. The Boeing aircraft factory in Vancouver resumed production to-day after being closed down for six days. The workers have pledged themselves to cause no further stoppages during regular work periods. The union has asked for a Royal Commission to investigate production and the rest period question. (The factory was closed down by the company last week, because the employees insisted on taking 10-minute rest periods.)

NORTHERN IRELAND GOVERNMENT

LONDON, May 4. Meeting the Northern Ireland House of Commons for the first time as Prime Minister, Sir Basil Brooke tabled a motion inviting members to express confidence in the Government he was forming. , , Mr Jack Beattie (Labour) declared that not since the days of Julius Caesar had there been such a treacherous betrayal of a leader as had beeaj witnessed in Northern Ireland. I