BRITAIN’S INDUSTRIES

Greymouth Evening Star, 18 October 1939, Page 8

BRITAIN’S INDUSTRIES

WAR-TIME ORGANISATION SPIRIT OF CO-OPERATION [BY CABLE —PRESS ASSN. —COPYRIGHT.] (Recd. Oct. 18, 10.30 a.m.). LONDON, October 17. The special representative of the Australian Associated Press, Mr. Trevor Ross, who is “somewhere in industrial Britain,” writes: At the request of the Government, Britain’s greatest industrialists, for the first time, have lifted the veil from wartime production, in order that the Dominions may see something of the first fruits of patient planning. Within six weeks of the outbreak of the war. Britain’s vast industrial system has achieved a degree of organisation not reached until at least three years after the last war began. This was the most-oustanding conclusion of a week’s investigation by a highlyprivileged party of British and foreign journalists. Beginning our memorable tour “someyhere at sea” with the Fleet, we watched the Empire’s life blood flowing across the trade arteries. Now we have examined the very heartbeats of industrial Britain, seen them quickening under the stimulus of war, and listened to the country’s greatest experts pronounce them steady and competent to withstand considerably more strain. The story of Britain’s foresight lies behind the momentous announcements of the part the Dominions intend to play in welding the Empire’s war-time economy. One typical plant has already put out six times above the production of a year ago. The shadow factory has abandoned the role of industrial reservist, and has taken its place in the front line of national production. The most-heartening assurance was given everywhere. Although Britain is now in her productive stride, her capacity has not yet begun to be taxed seriously. The high standard of maintenance insisted upon by consumer firms for many years means that, unlike Germany, Britain enters the war with her heavy industry free to devote itself exclusively to national production for many years, if necessary. We have inspected vast plants whose pre-war production of armaments was four per cent, of their total output to-day. We found everywhere a spirit of co-operation and enthusiasm, which is acting as a lubricant for the vast machine of national endeavour. WOMEN’S AUXILIARIES. RUGBY, October 16. Dame Helen Gwynne-Vaughan, Director of the Women’s Auxiliary Territorial Service, is the' daughter of a soldier. Her record in the last war was magnificent. Both by her organising ability and her determination to see a job through she earned the praise of everyone with whom she came in contact. She is a Fellow of King’s College, London. Professor of Botany in the University of London, and head of the Department of Botany in Birkbeck College of the same university. From its formation in 1917 until September, 1918, she was Chief Controller of Queen Mary’s Auxiliary Corps with the British Armies in France, was mentioned in dispatches, and received the C.B.E. Later she was Commandant of the Women’s Air Force. The war has increased the number of unemployed women in Britain by 175,000. On the other hand there are 75,000 fewer men unemployed.

AN ALLOWANCE QUESTION. LONDON. October 17. Mr. Hore Belisha, Secretary of State for War, in the Commons, said, that any unmarried woman who was wholly or substantially maintained by a soldier, with whom she had been living on a. permanent domestic basis for six months before the soldier joined the colours, would receive the same allowance as a wife. DEARER PETROL. LONDON, October 16. Petrol is to be increased in price by 2d a gallon to 1/8 to-day in Britain, according to an t nnouncement by the Petroleum Board. The price was 1/6 a, gallon when rationing of supplies began on September 16. LORD MAYOR’S FUND. RUGBY, October 16. The Lord Mayor’s Red Cross and St. John Fund totals £406,000. STRAITS SETTLEMENT. RUGBY, October 16. The Colonial Office has received a message from the Legislative Council of the Straits Settlement, which today held its first meeting since the outbreak of war, expressing the loyalty of the colony to the King and its fixed determination to “uphold the sacred cause of freedom and justice.” GIFT FROM RAJAH. LONDON, October 17. Sir Charles Brooke, Rajah of Sarawak, has given Britain £116,000 for defence purposes.