WAR NEWS IN BRIEF

Greymouth Evening Star, 19 September 1940, Page 11

WAR NEWS IN BRIEF

BRITISH EXPENDITURE. [BRITISH OFFICIAL WIRELESS.] RUGBY, September 17. The Exchequer returns show the total of the ordinary revenue at £415,223,457 for the period from April 1 to September 14, as compared with £309,811,331 for the similar period of two days longer last year. The total expenditure for a period of about 24 weeks under review has been £1,449,624,729. This compares with £1,138,621,260 in the same time last year. OVERSEAS GIFTS ' RUGBY, September 17. A Basuto tribe numbering little more than 500,000 has contributed £10,518 of the total of £20,000 which the Basutoland War Fund has now reached. Bermuda has sent £lO,OOO as a second contribution towards the cost of the war, asking that the money be spent on two Spitfires to be named Bermuda. FOOD IN DENMARK. (Recd. September 19, 11.20 a.m.) COPENHAGEN, September 18. The radio announced that further drastic rationing of food is being introduced. RAID ON MALTA. (Recd. September 19, 11.20 a.m.) MALTA, September 18. Several enemy formations damaged Government property, on the morning of September 16. Our fighters drove off another formation in the after- , noon, shooting down three planes, and making prisoner one pilot. No bombs were dropped. INDIAN CONGRESS. BOMBAY, September 18. The Congress Executive passed a resolution appealing to members to cease civil 'disobedience, pending Gandhi’s interview with the Viceroy. fc _ — SWISS AND CONTRABAND.

LONDON, September 18. The Swiss representative, Dr. Keller, arrived in London, to discuss the food blockade, also the position of Swiss chartered ships from America, held up by Contraband Control at Gibraltar and other ports.

WAR COUNCIL. (Recd. Sept. 19, 12.25 p.m.). LONDON, September 18. Lord Davies gave notice of a question in the Lords, suggesting the formation of a Supreme War Council, including the Dominions and India. WOOL PRICES. LONDON, September 10. The Wool Control announced the home issue price would be increased by 4 per cent, for wool, and 6 per cent, for tops. The increases are due . to freight costs, and marine insurance charges. The export issue prices similarly increased. Bradford states that the increased issue prices immediately affected the yarn market, spinners’ quotations advancing accordingly. AIRCRAFT CONSTRUCTION WASHINGTON, September 18. The War Department has asked Congress to appropriate 300,000,000 dollars to speed up national defence by placing aircraft factories on a 24hour basis instead of the present eight to 16-hour basis. COST OF LIVING. " RUGBY, September 18. The cost of living figure at the end of August was 187, that for July, 1914, being 100, and it was two points higher than the figure at the beginning of the month. • This is equivalent to about one per cent. For food alone, the figure was 166, or two points higher than the figure at the beginning' of the month, but was two less than' on July 1. SECRET SESSION. RUGBY, September 18. The following report on the secret session was issued on the authority of the Speaker, to-day: The House went into secret session. A debate took place on the recent aerial bombardment of the country. Members representing London and other constituencies affected drew attention to I the many problems which had arisen, ! and the Minister of Home Security and the Minister of Health replied.