WAR DURATION

Greymouth Evening Star, 25 May 1942, Page 5

WAR DURATION

MR. HULL’S CORRECTION EVERY EFFORT NEEDED WASHINGTON, May 23. Senator Cordell Hull, Secretary of State, in a statement to the press, gives a warning against over optimism. He said: “It will be noted, with uneasiness, that some of the American people, seeing the rapidly-in-creasing strength of the United States, and also United Nations successes in various places, are inclined to anticipate an earlier victory than has heretofore been expected. We can too easily be overoptimistic. We are in a hard fight, which will be won only by the combined and all-out efforts of our people and of all of the United Nations. Mr. Hull then repeated a statement as follows: “Victory will come sooner if everyone realises the extreme danger, and if every additional ounce of effort is put forth in this situation that is as threatening as it his house were on fire. It will be delayed, and will involve incalculable suffering and losses with any weakening of such a realisation, and with any lagging in effort or exertion. . it is pointed out that Mi. Hull, oerhaps unwittingly, had himseli evoked an extraordinary wave ol optimism as cabled on Wednesday last, even affecting the Stock Exchange. But a sharp reaction has followed after President Roosevelt gave a warning on Friday at nis press conference. PAY FOR FORCES. WASHINGTON, May 23. The Senate of the House Conference Committee has agreed to a general pay increase for the lower ranks of the armed services to a minimum of 42 dollars monthly. The House agreed to 50 dollars, but the Senate conferees refused to go beyond 42.

SOLDIERS’ JOBS

SYDNEY, May 24

In the speech over the short-wave radio to the American troops in China, Iceland, England and Australia Mr. Eric Johnston, President ol the United States Chamber of Commerce, promised the soldiers that there would be jobs waiting for them when they returned home after the war. He added: “America cannot afford another period of economic stagnation such as that which followed the last war.” CIVILIAN DEFENCE AID. WASHINGTON, May 22. Mr Roosevelt has announced tnat the Federal Security Agency, the Olfice of Civilian Defence, and the American Red Cross had agreed on plans to aid civilian victims ol enemy attacks which might be made on the United States. The immediate responsibility for those injured by bombing or shelling falls on the Emergency Medical Service ol the United States Defence Corps, operating under the Office of Civilian Defence. Though the Red Cross will not duplicate the work of this seivice, it will help furnish nurses, aides, stretcher teams, ambulances, and supplementary equipment, Ine Red Cross will also supply food, clothing, and temporary sheltei These functions will continue until the regular Government agencies artable to assume responsibility. RAZORS FOR FORCES.

WASHINGTON, May 23. The Second War Production Board has prohibited the sale and deliveiy of all safety razors now in the hands of manufacturers and jobbers, and has ordered them to be made available to the armed services. Retailers are not affected by the order at present. Officials said that the Army would need seven hundred thousand razors monthly. Meanwhile manufacturers are expected to develop a war razor with a plastic handle and guard. STEEL-WORKERS' PRESIDENT. WASHINGTON, May 23. Mr. Philip Murray, the President of the Congress of Industrial Organisation, at Cleveland, Ohio, has been elected as President ol the United Steel Workers of America, with a yearly salary of 20,000 dollars. Mr. Murray is now Vice-Pre-sident of the United Mine Workers. He did not indicate whether he would relinquish the latter post. TRADE “BLACK LIST.”

WASHINGTON, May 24. The United States has added 323 firms and individuals in Latin America and neutral European countries to the already lengthy trade black-list.

AMUSEMENT CENTRES

WASHINGTON, May 23

The War Production Board has ordered the stoppage before June G of the construction of all amusement parks, race tracks, theatres, basebau parks, and similar projects, costing over 5000 dollars, regardless ol how much work has been completed. MOURNING MOTHERS.

WASHINGTON, May 23

President Roosevelt has approved a plan for mothers who have lost sons in the armed services to be entitled to wear a three inch black mourning band with a gold star for each one killed in the war. The plan is proposed by the American Gold Star Mothers, and is similar to the one in the last war approved by President Wilson.

MR NASH’S ADDRESS

OTTAWA, May 23

The New Zealand Minister for Washington (Mr Nash) addressed a special meeting of the House ol Commons Reconstruction Committee. outlining New Zealand’s social security system, war aims, and postwar plans. He urged Canada to take immediate action to solve post-war problems. He said that winning the peace between 1944-50 would be narder than winning the war. Apologising for speaking bluntly, Mr Nash asserted that in neither Canada nor the United States was the full issue of the war understood. “We shall go back a hundred years if we lose —and we can lose,” he said.

POST-WAR POLICY

WASHINGTON, May 23.

A British Government representative conferred secretly with Republican and Democratic leaders in the United States House of Representatives and Senate and made tentative and informal proposals that a group of Congressmen be chosen to confer in England with members of the British Parliament regarding the conduct of the war and plans for subsequent peace, states the Associated, Press of America. The proposal is reported to call for the selection of five Democrats and five Republicans, including leading members of the House of Representatives and Senate, to travel to England in July as the guests of the British Parliament. LABOUR COLLABORATION. (Recd. 12.30 p.m.) WASHINGTON, May 24. Sir Walter Citrine told Mr Roosevelt that the American Federation of

Labour had agreed to a form of collaboration with British and Russian - unions for the duration of the war. Sir W. Citrine had proposed that American organised labour should participate in the British-American Soviet Trades Union Committee. The American Federation of Labour Council made counter-proposals, v/hich have been cabled to London. Sir W. Citrine told the Press that the counter-proposals did not go as tar as he would like, but they were definitely in favour of a form of collaboration, and undoubtedly a step in the right direction. ANZACS COMMEMORATED. NEW YORK, May 23. The “New York Times” says: A small blue pool symbolising the Pacific Ocean, that stretches between Australia and New Zealand, reflected the massed colours of the United Nations to-day, as taps were played in memory of the ‘Anzacs who died in the last war. The ceremony set the serious keynote of a programme /■ at the opening of the season of the Anzac Garden in the British Empire Building here. Australian and New Zealand servicemen, who are carrying on their father’s steps were represented by a small coterie of airmen and sailors visiting the city on leave. They were saluted by representatives of the United States, Britain, Russia, the Netherlands and . . China.