USA DEFENCE

Grey River Argus, 12 February 1941, Page 5

USA DEFENCE

COASTGUARD INCREASE A.A. and Balloon Squadrons [Aus. & N.Z. Cable Assn ] WASHINGTON February 10. The Appropriations Committee sent to the House a Bill providing 62,193,000 dollars for coastguard defence and neutrality duties, which is an increase of 18,959,000 over last year. The coastguard programme includes 5.121,000 dollars for increases in personnel, 1,500,000 for installation of guns and gas masks. The committee states: “In company with our defence programme for building up the Navy, it will become necessary to improve, •alter and equip coastguard vessels, suitable for operation with the Navy, to enable them to fulfil that du<y when called on.” The Army has begun the formation of the first anti-aircraft and balloon barrage squadrons. MR HOPKINS RETURNING LONDON, February 1'). Mr Hopkins has concluded his mission, and has left for Amerca. LEAVING JAPAN U.S.A, EPISCOPAL MISSION t TOKIO, February 10. Bishop Charles Reifsnider, head of the American Episcopal Mission, alter a conference with Mr Grew (Ambassador), is reported to have advised his subordinates to leave Japan as soon as possible, because of the tense situation.

Order to Ford Coy.

TO ALLOW UNIONISM WASHINGTON. February 10. The Supreme Court refused to-day to interfere with the Labour Board order directing the Ford Company to reinstate a group of employees, with back pay and to cease alleged interference with the collective bargaining rights of the workmen. The Court order requires Ford to cease discouraging membership in the C. 1.0. of automobile workers or any other unoin, to discontinue “threatening, assaulting, or beating” or interfering in any other way with the employees’ organising rights, and to reinstate with back pay 23 men whom' the Board found were discharged for union activity.

Court Ruling

AGAINST UNION PICKETING WASHINGTON, February 10. The Supreme Court also held that the State Court injunctions against picketing are valid, when violence by a union is associated closely with picketing. The ruling was given first by the Supreme Court, limiting the right of labour to picket. It came in the decision upholding an injunction against the Chicago A.F.L. Milk Wagon Drivers’ Union, in a dispute with Meadowmoor Dairies, Incorporated. DEBT “CEILING” LIFTED AGAIN'! (Received February 11, 8.0 p.m.). WASHINGTON, February 10. The House has approved and has sent to the Senate a Hill inc.easing the National Debt ceiling io s xiyfive thousand million dollars. The Secretary to the Treasury. Mr Morgenthau, said he estimated this increase would meet their financial requirements till June of 1942.