GENERAL CABLES

Grey River Argus, 20 March 1940, Page 11

GENERAL CABLES

LONDON, March 17. A plane in the Milan-Tripoli service crashed on the Island of Stromboli. Ten passengers and four of the crew were killed. The Minister for Supply (Mr. Burgin) stated in the House of Commons that he did not believe the reports that there was a shortage of wool imports, but there was some difficulty regarding shipping. More wool had been purchased from New Zealand and Australia than could be shipped. “It will be necessary to ration wool for civilian consumption, but there is no lack for export,” he said. “Wool for home consumption and luxury purposes will be cut down by about half, but that does not mean a shortage of wool for the country’s essential needs. Raw wool for export will be increased 25 per cent, during the rationing period.” The civil estimates for foreign and imperial services, issued on Saturday, show a net total of £14,185,469 for 1940, compared, with £18,128,273 in 1939. The original net estimate for 1939 was £15,387,203, but three supplementary estimates raised the total to £18,128,273. The principal decreases are £3,749,239 for the India-Burma service, and £365,242 for diplomatic and consular services. The principal increases are £495,452 for the Colonial and Middle Eastern services, and £185,311 for the Foreign Office.