AUSTRALIAN FRONT

Grey River Argus, 25 June 1942, Page 2

AUSTRALIAN FRONT

AIR DEFENCES Now Very Strong [Aust. & N.Z. Cable Assn.) LONDON, June 23. Australia has never had such a strong air defence as now, and there is not one vital part of the continent not covered by a protective screen of combat aircraft, either American, Australian or Dutch, Mr. Drakeford said to-day. Operations and functional control of the R.A.A.F. have been reorganised in order to combine all units into a co-ordinated striking force. The direction and conduct of R.A.A.F. operations against the enemy have, been placed under R.A.A.F. personnel returned from overseas. Both striking and protective bases have been prepared throughout the country. Australia’s War Loan £35 MILLIONS RAISt-u. £2OO MILLION YET TO BE BORROWED. SYDNEY, June 24. Although no announcement has been made on the result of the second Liberty Loan, of thirty-five million pounds, which closed yesteruay, those associated with the campaign are confident that the loan; has been filled. After an early lag, there was a last minute rush of subscriptions. The “Telegraph” says: The Government’s financial advisers are not completely satisfied with the result of the loan. Concern is felt about the chances of raising the two hundred million pounds loan required to balance next year’s record rour hundred million budget. The Government feels that certain factors associated with the present loan, panicbuying of clothes, uncertainly about manpower call-ups, and the fact that man v investors are still paying contributions to the i'ast loan, —will be missing for the next loan. Put even so, there is keen disappointment m official circles that the response -o the first Liberty Loan, which was over-subscribed by thirteen mffiion pounds, has not been repeated, this time. ■ Conspiracy Trial WEST AUSTRALIAN FINDINGS. PERTH, June 24. Laurence Bullock and 9 har F| Williams were found guilty in tne Perth Criminal' Court, of having conspired to assist the Japanese Empire. Both were remanded for sentence. Nancv Krakouer and Edward Quirke were found not guilty of the same charge. The jury made a .special recommendation for mercy in tne case of Williams. , Krakouefi and Quirke, who like the other accused, had been - der the National Security Rotations since March 9. , were remanded to their former custody. The trial lasted sixteen days. —.