NETHERLANDS INDIES OIL

Evening Star, Issue 23816, 21 February 1941, Page 8

NETHERLANDS INDIES OIL

JAPAN WANTS EXPLORATION RIGHTS ' CERTAIN AREAS SPECIFIED BATAVIA, February 20. The Netherlands East Indies Government has received a Japanese request to explore the oil areas of the Netherlands East Indies, and has indicated its willingness to specify certain areas. The Dutch authorities are reported to have signified their willingness on condition that Dutch observers accompany the Japanese surveyors. DOMINION PILOTS LATEST CASUALTY LIST [Peb United Press Association.] WELLINGTON. February 20. The following air casualties were announced to-night:— Flying Officer Ronald •William Gair, R. missing on air operations. He was educated at Napier Boys’ High School, and was accepted for a shortservice commission in the R.A.F. in the early part of 1939. His father is Mr C. J. Gair, care of the Government Audit Department, Wellington. Flight Lieutenant Desmond Wallace Ferguson Barker, R.A.F., killed on air operations. Father, Mr S. R. Barker, of Gisborne. Pilot Officer Ronald Owen Lawry, previously reported missing, now presumed killed. Father, Fr H. B. Lawry, Wai-iti Avenue. Lower Hutt. Pilot Officer Murray Charles Petne, previously reported missing, now presumed killed. Father, Mr H. B. Lawry, Coromandel street. Alellington. Pilot Officer Kenneth John Alan Johnstone, previously reported missing, now presumed killed. Father, Mr J. L. S. Johnstone. Russell road, Mannrewa, Auckland. Sergeant Douglas Lawrence Burton was reported missing and later reported a prisoner of war and wounded. A message has been received from him stating that ho is now in hospital and making excellent progress. His mother is Mrs J. P. Burton, of Opunake, Taranaki. DAHUBIAN COMMITTEE MEETING IN VIENNA LONDON, February 20 (Received February 21, at 9 a.in.) The Berlin radio says the Committee for Danube Affairs opens its first working conference in Vienna to-day. Representatives of Italy, Russia, Yugoslavia, Hungary, Bulgaria, and Rumania are attending, under the presidency of a German. DESTROYED BY FIRE DANISH OPTICAL INSTRUMENT FACTORY ZURICH, February 20. (Received February 21, at 9.5 a.m.) It is learned from Copenhagen that the largest optical instrument factory in Denmark, which was working for Germany, was destroyed by fire. The cause is unknown. Machinery and stocks were wiped out. The damage is estimated at about £250,000. - - BRITISH CIVIL SERVICE CRITICISM RESENTED LONDON, February 20. (Received February 21, at 11 a.m.) Mr William John Brown said Lord Perry’s attack on the Civil servants would be fiercely resented from the top to the bottom of the service because it ■was ill-founded. Possibly there was a case for revising the relationship between the Government and the Civil Service, and also the Civil Service generally. [Mr Brown is general secretary of the Civil Service Association.] THE CASE OF DE GEER BERLIN DENIES KIDNAPPING BERLIN, February 20. (Received February 21, at 11 a.m.) The Berlin News Agency denies that de Geer was kidnapped, and claims that he is residing privately at The Hague.