ATTACK BY YEMEN

Press, Volume XCV, Issue 28178, 17 January 1957, Page 9

ATTACK BY YEMEN

Aden Troops In Action

(N.Z. Press Association—Copyright) (Rec. 12.30 a.m.) ADEN, Jan. 16. An official communique issued at Aden today said that th? Durham Light Infantry had been in action against Yemeni - held houses within the Protectorate near Manawa

Nearby positions were attacked with rockets by Royal Air Force Venom jet fighters. A fierce Yemeni attack was repulsed by Aden Protectorate levies at Shaquiet, near the border town of Beihan,

The communique said that men of the Durham Light Infantry who were flown to the Beihan area on Monday repulsed Yemeni intruders in the Wadi Manawa area yesterday. After mortaring two houses which were seized by the Yemeni force last week troops moved in and drove out the intruders. Yemeni positions in nearby scrubland were attacked by rocket-firing Venoms. Aden Protectorate levies who repulsed the attack at Shaquiet have been deployed inside Protectorate territory opposite the Yemeni town of Harib. The intruders had been trying to infiltrate into Shaquiet.

Woman M.P. In Egypt (Special Correspondent N.Z.P.A.) LONDON, January 16. “I feel that my visit here has been justified and I am convinced that what I feared has been confirmed,” said Dr. Edith Summerskill, a Labour M.P., in Port Said after collecting evidence on the results of the British and French invasion. “I was shocked by many of the things I have been told but I believe them because they were told me by doctors, and doctors are the kind of people in whom you can have full trust.” She said she would elaborate her statement when she returned to London. Dr. Summerskill toured hospitals where she met Egyptians wounded in the invasion. She also visited refugee camps and the Arab Quarter and inspected the damage done during the fighting, making notes of what she saw and was told.

She is now in Cairo as the guest of the Egyptian Government.

AUSTRALIA IMPORTS' Controls To Be Eased

(Rec. 11 p.m.) CANBERRA. January 16.

The Australian Government today decided to relax import control. The Treasurer, Sir Arthur Fadden. said that it was estimated that the relaxations would increase the rate of imports by approximately £3om a year. He said that details of the relaxations would be announced later by the Trade Minister, Mr John McEwen.

Sir Arthur Fadden said that the decision to relax import control, made at a Cabinet meeting today, followed a review of the balance of payments situation over the first six months of the financial year.

Sir Arthur Fadden said: “At the same time I must sound a warning against the building up of great expectations as to what may be possible in the future.” Compared to the position 12 months ago “which was very difficult indeed’” the balance of payments situation was considered to have “improved greatly,” he said

“We have reached a state of balance in our external accounts and if the wool market holds for the remainder of the selling season we should be able to make a worthwhile addition to our overseas reserves,” said Sir Arthur Fadden.

Australian

Food Trade

(Rec. 10 p.m.) CARDIFF, Jan. 15 The . first direct shipment of Australian food from Brisbane. Sydney, and Portland, Victoria, arrived at Cardiff today in the 9940-ton ship, Devon. The 1000-ton shipment comprised butter, canned meat, fruit and tuna fish, flour and egg pulp.

The senior Australian Trade Commissioner in Britain. Mr G. R. V. Patterson, was in Cardiff when the Devon berthed.

Later, at a lunch attended by Cardiff businessmen and officials, Mr Patterson said that it was planned to establish several direct cargo routes between Australian and British ports. Direct shipments meant cheaper Australian food for British housewives and improved facilities for retailers.

BUSHFIRES STILL RAGE SYDNEY, January 16. Bushfires racing through the Megalong valley in the Blue Mountains have caused widespread damage to farm properties and high stock losses. Two fires near Leura, where three homes were destroyed late yesterday, were threatening today to burn back on to the township. Heavy mist and light rain overnight checked the flames a little bu firefighters today had to battle to save many properties. The Megalong valley postmistress, Miss M Kirb, said that the fires were the worst in the history of the valley. Along the southern New South Wales coast and in south-western districts, a desperate effort was being made today to cut firebreaks in the path of fierce fires which have been raging in those areas for several days. Bulldozers, graders and other heavy equipment have been brought into the fight to stop the flames before they reach the townships of Brindabella, Cobargo. Wandella, Nerrigundah and Blowering.