WAR NEWS IN BRIEF

Greymouth Evening Star, 15 December 1943, Page 6

WAR NEWS IN BRIEF

FRENCH HOPES LONDON, December 12. “France is on the eve of seeing the end of her sufferings,” said General de Gaulle in a speech at Algiers. “The attack against the enemy from the north, east, and west is being prepared. The camp of liberty has not yet reached the end of its hardships, and France knows how long and hard she will have to work and fight to rebuild her strength in victory.” I.R.A. PRISONER LONDON, December 12. It is officially announced that the report that Hugh McAteer, described as the chief of staff of the Irish Republican Army, who escaped from the Belfast prison on January 15 last and who was recaptured on November 21, is now engaged on a hunger strike, is untrue. christmaFrespite? LONDON, December 12. A Stockholm message says that commenting on rumours of an undeclared armistice during the Christmas week-end, the military spokesman in Berlin said that the Germans did not expect a Christmas respite in Europe’s air and land warfare and would ask for none. SERVICE LIABILITY s LONDON, December 13. Uxbridge magistrates have decided that the New Zealander, Miss Annie Roberts, is liable for national service. Miss Roberts, who said she had been a resident of Britain for 10 years, was fined £3. The Chairman of the Bench said: “You won’t lose your nationality by helping the war effort.”

During the hearing, the chairman pointed out that New Zealand had not yet adopted the Statute of Westminster. Miss Roberts gave notice of appeal.

CHINESE MISSION

RUGBY, December 3. To-day Mr Eden received the Chinese mission in London. The leader of the mission said that China needed both capital and technical help from Great' Britain and her other Western Allies. In the work of rehabilitation the way was now open for a full and equal partnership in the economic field, since China had decided to remove restrictions on foreign investments.

NEW ZEALAND PRESSMEN

WASHINGTON, December ~3

A New Zealand Press delegation has arrived on the way to London as guests of the British Ministry of Information.

The members of the delegation are Messrs P. H. N. Freeth, “The Press,” Christchurch; E. V. Dumbleton, “New Zealand Herald,” Auckland; A. Hardcastle, “Evening Post,” Wellington - W. A. Whitlock, “Hawke’s Bay Herald-Tribune,” Hastings; and W. J. Green, “Standard.”

WOMEN OVERSEAS SERVICE

RUGBY, Dec. 13

Members of the Women’s Voluntary Services are to serve overseas. It has been decided to send, in the first place, ten volunteers to a district chain ol “Leave Clubs” for non-commissioned ranks to open in Italy. The ages range from 28 to 45.

BENGAL FOOD SUPPLIES RUGBY, December 13. Perhaps the most important single act in the fighting of the Bengal famine was General Waveil’s action in obtaining military transport for foodstuffs, said Mr. Horace Alexander, a member of a Council of Friends Ambulance Unit speaking at Birmingham. Latest advice indicated that the food situation was just beginning to improve in Calcutta, although in the medical situation the need for clothes and blankets was acute. CANADIAN INDUSTRIES. OTTAWA, December 13. j The Minister of Munitions (Mr. ’Howe), addressing the Canadian Club. Toronto, urged Canadians to avoid post-war planning based on public works or a dole. Canadians should cease thinking in terms of making jobs, he said. If a job were; to last, it must exist for the purpose of getting something done. Mr. Howe advocated a higher living standard, the peace-time use of war-time inventions in civil and international aviation, an adequate 1 merchant marine, expansion of the: mining industry, reafforestation, new| markets abroad, and rebuilt home markets. Canada’s post-war plans should be built on the broad base of private industry, agriculture, forests, mines, and fisheries.