War Brevities

Northern Advocate, 1 August 1940, Page 5

War Brevities

Victim.—The Admiralty announces: “Information has now been received that the patrol vessel Guillemot shot down one German dive-bomber during an .attack on that ship by German aircraft yesterday. No damage and no casualties were suffered in the Guillemot.” Tea. —It is authoritatively stated in London that in two or three months the situation regarding tea supplies is expected to be so much easier that there is a probability that the position may then be reviewed to ascertain whether there is .any necessity to continue rationing. Scuttlings. —The Italian LloydTriestino Shipping Line has announceed that the crews of the steamers Timavo (7549 tons) and the Sistiana (5827 tons.) scuttled their ships near the African coast to avoid capture by British warships. The crews have been interned in concentration camps. Taxation.—Sir Frank Sanderson (Conservative —Earling) in the Mouse of Commons, referring to the magnitude of direct taxation, declared that the Prime Minister’s salary of £IO,OOO had ben reduced by taxation to £3873. Scrap.—Residents of Nassau in the Bahamas, have formed a War Materials Committee to gather scrap metals for the British Government. More than £2OOO worth of lead, copper, brass and other materials has been collected already. Numerous wrecks found round the islands are being salvaged and metals from them cut up. Disobedience.—The Minister for Agriculture (Mr R. S. Hudson) stated that since the outbreak of war to July 26, 49 farmers had been prosecuted for disobeying orders, to. cultivate, their .land, states a London message. Fines | totalled £1477.

Off.—Owing to military occupation of the showground, there will be no Royal Easter Show in 1941 in Sydney. Allies.—Answering a question in the House of Commons, the Secretary of State for War (Mr Anthony Eden) said that French, Polish, Czech, Dutch, Norwegian and Belgian units were being organised in Britain. Friendly aliens who did not join any other of these national forces might join the auxiliary military pioneer corps, in which a number were already serving.

Ambassador. —The United States has approved the nomination of the Mayor cf Versailles (M. Henri Haye) as Ambassador to Washington. D.F.C.—Pilot-Officer J. F. Swift, of New Zealand, has been awarded the D.F.C.

Loyalty.—At its first meeting since the war began, the Straits Settlement Association, which represents all races and what may be called the “unofficial community,” unanimously approved of a message of loyalty to the King, expressing determination “by every means in our power. and every measure necessary to bring victory to his cause, which is also our cause and the cause of humanity.”