AIRCRAFT OUTPUT

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20489, 25 February 1941, Page 8

AIRCRAFT OUTPUT

SURPASSING AXIS BRITAIN AND AMERICA BIG PROBLEMS FACED MOTOR TRADE RESOURCES SIR W. CITRINE’S PRAISE (Elec. Tel. Copyright—United Press Assn.) (British Official Wireless.) Reed. 1.50 p.m. RUGBY, Feb. 24. The general secretary of the Trades Union Congress, Sir Walter Citrine, who has just returned from his tour of the United States,, said to-day that there was a terrible illusion in the mind of American people that their great automobile industry could be turned 'over to the production of aeroplanes in thousands. He knew before he left that the problem was realised, certainly by people in authority. They knew that, with the best will in. the world, it would take to the middle of 1942 or the end of that year before the American aeroplane production could reach its peak. The American aircraft industry was doing marvellously well. Many of their latest aircraft were quite up id the standards ruling when he left Britain. Best in the World In the United States, with a proper inter-change of design between this country and the United States, he was satisfied that they could turn out aircraft that would surpass anything in the world.

As to when the Airiericari effort would become effective froiri the British point of. view, he would? say September. Fie believed that, with American production combined with British production, their total output would over-top the Germans by Septernber.

Sir Walter Citrine added: “Goodwill, I would say, is almost universal in America. There are little patches here and there which are almost hostile to our cause, but they are microscopic.”

Speaking of his interview with President Roosevelt, Sir Walter Citrine said: “I conveyed to" him the gratitude of. the British people, and the British Labour movement in par ticular, for the help the United States have given to Britain and the courageous leadership he has shown.”