BRITAIN’S WAR MEASURES

Greymouth Evening Star, 4 June 1942, Page 5

BRITAIN’S WAR MEASURES

FUEL AND POWER MINISTRY COAL BOARD ESTABLISHED RUGBY, June 3. The Government has decided ro set up a Ministry of Fuel, Light and Power. This Ministry will take over the functions of the Mines Department Petroleum Department, and have transferred to it the responsibilities connected with electriciay and gas, now assigned to the Board of Trade. Major Gwilym Lloyd George has been appointed to the new Ministry, while Messrs Geoffrey Lloyd and Tom Smith will act as joint Parliamentary Secretaries. The change will bring under the control of a single Cabinet Minister the functions of Government in relation to the production and consumption of fuel and power, which at present are divided on coal and its consumption, whether directly used or in the form of electricity or gas. Major Lloyd George has been succeeded as Parliamentary Secretary to tne Ministry of Food by Mr. William Mabone.

A White Paper, issued under the auspices of the Board of Trade, announces that a National Coal Board will be established, and regional controllers appointed with full responsibility in their regions. They will be advised and assisted by the Regional Coal Boards. Coal-mining will be added to the list of priority industries which may be chosen in preference to military service. No more ex-miners will be withdrawn at this stage from the armed forces for work in the mines.

Pit production committees will assist pit managers to secure the maximum output. Absenteeism and persistent lateness will be made offences subject to summary prosecution. A system will be developed on a national basis, and by a properly-con-stituted National Board, for dealing with wages and conditions. The industrial consumption of coal will be' reduced by improved consumption methods, and tne organised allocation of domestic fuel. Rationing will not be imposed immediately, although all the necessary preparations will be undertaken to decrease consumption. The White Paper explains the rationing scheme, which may be necessary. The main provision is the limitation to seven and a-half hundredweight per person per year. PRODUCTION TEAM-WORK. LONDON, June 2. Commenting on the importance of production and the significance of Mr. Lyttelton’s visit to the United States, an industrial correspondent, said that a large part of bomber production in Britain was in the hands of girls, who had previously been waitresses, stenographers, or in other work, in civil life. “We know now,” he added, “that modern war is not won by courage and tenacity alone. These are of no avail if aeroplanes, tanks, and guns are not available. That is why we attach great importance to Mr. Lyttelton's visit to Washington. The United Nations have to play in a team like the girls in the lactones and the pilots in the Royal Air Force.” ASTROLOGERS’ PREDICTIONS (Rec. 11.30 a.m.) LONDON, June 3. A question affecting a popular feature of the British Press was raised in the Commons, when Mr. Keeling askew Mr. Bracken whether his attention had been drawn to the tact that astrologers were predicting Germanv was on the verge of collapse, and whether he proposed to stop astrological predictions about the war, in order to counteract the risk ol addicts of astrology relaxing their et--10 Mr. Bracken replied: Astrologers seem to have the misfoitune to P f perpetually in conflict. . As no sensible person takes their predictions seriously, 1 cannot ask the oveiwoiked censors to meddle with then mysteries. At Hitler is Known to have dabbled in astrology, it .may be that certain articles are written toi his. benefit. FOOD COSTS TOO high (Recd. Noon) LONDON, June 3. “There is something rotten in the state of England, where essential foods cost the consumer between two and live times what is paid to the producer,” said Lord Bledisloe, m the H He added that there was no country in the world where, under normal conditions, there was a lai get spread between the producers reward and the consumers cost. Lord Teviot declared that foodstuffs distribution costs were excessive High prices were leading to malnutrition. The retailer was not to blame. Those handling the mod between the producer and the retailer should be dealt with. MEXICO AND BRITAIN. RUGBY, June 3. The Mexican Government has sent a warmly, appreciative reply to the urmsn (jovei mnent’s message, on the occasion of Mexico’s declaration of war on the Axis. The message states that tne Mexican Government is convinced that international intercourse cannot be adequately developed .except by methods of peace and justice Mexico has been obliged to accept war as a final recourse for tne preservation of honour and dignity. The Mexican nation entered the conflict in absolute certainty that the result of the war will mean the advent of an era of universal collaboi ation and mutual friendship and respect, capable of ensuring tranquility and progress of ail mankind. . Tne message declared that it was a cause of satisfaction to Mexicans that they would fight in the same cause as the heroic British. The magnificent virtues shown by the British were the greatest source of encouragement to others, who were united with the British, in achieving a triumph of freedom over barbarism.