BRITAIN’S DEFENCE

Greymouth Evening Star, 19 May 1938, Page 9

BRITAIN’S DEFENCE

HOME-PRODUCED OIL [BRITISH OFFICIAL WIRELESS.] RUGBY, May 18, The recommendation in the report published in February of the Subcommittee of the Committee of Imperial Defence, on the home production of oil in relation to economic possibilities and security, has been accepted by the Government. In announcing this, in answer to a Commons question the . Chancellor of the Exchequer said that provision was being made in the Finance Bill to give effect to the recommendation for the extension for 12 years of the guaranteed preference of 8d per gallon on home-produced motor spirit . and Diesel oil for use in road vehicles, subject to the adjustments recommended by the committee.

WOOL STOCKS. (Recd. May 19,1 p.m.) LONDON, May 18. In view of the wool industry being a national service in an emergency, the Government has decided to take a census of all raw wool tops and machinery in the woollen and worsted industries in Britain, following the leaders of the industry response to the Board of Trade enquiry, intimating that they are unable to say whether the existing machinery and stocks of wool tops are adequate at an average time to meet the Government and civil reeds, in the event Of an emergency. The census forms are being sent out on May 28. It is stated that there is no reason to believe that the Government is contemplating wool purchases.