WAR PRODUCTION

Evening Star, Issue 23745, 28 November 1940, Page 9

WAR PRODUCTION

EFFECTS OF ENEMY RAIDS INTERFERENCE REDUCED TO MINIMUM SHIPPING POSITION MORE SERIOUS U-BOAT AND BOMBING MENAGE WILL BE COUNTERED , (British Official Wireless.) Press Association—By Telegraph—Copyright RUGBY, November 27. (Received November 28, at 11.40 a.m.) In the House of Commons Mr Arthur Greenwood, Minister without nortfolio, made a statement on war production. He referred to the effects of the recent enemy raids on industrial centres and reminded the House that Britain was still some way from being fully armed. Still greater efforts to increase the output would be necessary in preparation for taking the offensive. In the last 15 months the output of war equipment from British factories had been more than trebled, and in the case of some material multiplied by four. Since May there had been some substantial increases in Aitput. Shipbuilding had increased over 50 per cent. —an excellent foundation for further expansion.. Coming to the effects of the air raids, Mr .Greenwood said it would be folly to deny that damage had been done to production by enemy air attacks, but if the Germans’ boasts of the weight of bombs dropped oh Britain was to be accepted as accurate, then, by that measure, he was entitled to say that the effects on production were surprisingly small. At the beginning the interruption of production during alerts seriously affected the output, but for some time past the system of factory spotters and the determination of the workers to carry on had substantially reduced the amount of interference occasioned by enemy air action. There remained the loss due to actual damage to or destruction of plant. Mr Greenwood said he must admit that the recent enemy air attacks had retarded progress of the steady expansion of output. Beyond that the most complete candour did not require him to go.

“ I say that the raids have not eaten to any serious extent into our productive capacity,” he went on. “It has embarrassed ois—and we shall have more difficulties of this kind to face—but up to now the structure stands virtually intact, though temporarily dislocated.” The Minister said he had spent last week-end in Coventry and Birmingham —“places which felt the full force of Hitler’s aerial attacks on our industrial power.” Describing his impression of factories that had been hit, he said that whilst smoke was still rising from the ruins active steps "were being taken to restart production. “ I had not believed that in so short a time industrial recovery could be so consistent,” he said. The Minister spoke appreciatively of the ever-increasing flow of orders from the United States. TOLL OF CARGO VESSELS. Turning to the shipping position, the Minister spoke gravely. He compared it with April, 1917, and said that, though it was worse than it should be, it was not so bad as is might be in view of Germany’s use of Channel ports and the new factor of aerial attack. Regarding rebuilding, he said that they had not built up to the programme they had laid down for themselves, but they were not far from it. An enormous difference was made by shipping captured or transferred. But the answer to the U-boat and the bombing menace lay in counter-measures on which the Admrialty and the Air Ministry were working unremittingly. They would find the means to defeat this menace. “ If we do not, our plight is going to become a very serious one indeed,” he declared. Mr Greenwood made the point that, despite the sinking of valuable cargoes and ships, the loss of war material in transit to Britain was quite unsubstantial.

Summing up, Mr Greenwood said that, taking into account both home production and supplies from overseas of war material, there was no shadow of doubt that Britain was growing stronger. If further efforts were called for, it was equally true that further efforts were being made. Finally, they were entitled to take encouragement from the reverse side of the picture—the troubles of the enemy. The R.A.F. attacks on industrial targets of military importance in Germany, and-the silent but inflexible pressure of the blockade were undermining Hitler’s striking power, in spite of his year’s deliberate planning and preparation of the war reserves he bad accumulated with which to bring about the subjugation of Europe. The R.A.F. would continue the intensity of its attacks on German industry and communications, which all the evidence suggested were destroying the powers of recuperation of tho German economic system.

JAPANESE OFFEHSIVE

OPERATIONS IN HUPEH PROVINCE ENCIRCLING MOVEMENT PLANNED Press Association —By Telegraph—Copyright SHANGHAI, November 27. (Received November 28, at 9.5 a.m.) A Domci News Agency message from the Eastern Hupeh province states that a four-pronged Japanese offensive from bases west of the Han River Valley threatens to encircle 300,000 Chinese troops. Other Japanese forces northwest of Hupeh on November 24 defeated two Chinese divisions. The message added! that 1,461 Chinese had been killed and much booty captured in the Anhwei province since November 23.

JAPANESE LINERS DIVERTED FROM HONGKONG SHANGHAI, November 27. (Received November 28, at 9.5 a.m.) The Nippon Yusen Kaisha liners are not calling at Hongkong on southward voyages after December 12. No reason is given, but it is suggested that it i;s intended to give Axis nationals a southward exit without stopping at Hongkong where they might be subject to seizure. i GERMAN AMBASSADOR IN TOKIO EARLY CHANGE INDICATED TOKIO, November 27. (Received November 28, at 9.5 a m.) It is reliably stated that Herr Stahmer is replacing Herr Ott as Ambassador in Tokio soon. BRITISH FARM PRODUCTION INCREASE CONSIDERED VITAL (British Official Wireless.) RUGBY, November 26. A 5 per cent, increase in British farm production would be equivalent to ploughing another 1,000,000 acres. The Minister of Agriculture, Mr R. S. Hudson, described this possible increase as “ a quite moderate estimate ” in an encouraging statement made in the House of Commons on the basis of a recent farm survey. The survey showed that increased production was vital and the Government would guarantee maintenance of the present system of fixed prices and an assured market for the duration of hostilities and at least a year afterwards.