LARGER SHARE

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVII, Issue 23618, 30 March 1940, Page 11

LARGER SHARE

BRITISH WAR EFFORT NORTHERN IRELAND'S WISH TRIBUTE BY MINISTER By Telegraph—Press Association —Copyright LONDON, March IS Seeking a larger share of war work, the Government of Northern Ireland intends to urge greater use of its resources. On the occasion of ihe visit to Belfast of Dr. Leslie Burgin, Minister of Supply, Viscount C'raigavon, Prime Minister of Northern Ireland, told tlris to English journalists who arrived ahead of Dr. Burgin.

Lord C'raigavon said he hoped a relatively largo reservoir of labour would be used up by the establishment of a Government factory. He also aimed at having 250,000 acres ploughed.

Speaking at Belfast. Dr. Burgin paid a tribute to Northern Ireland for its part in the total war effort; says a British wireless message. Referring to the importance of the linen manufacturing industry, he said orders totalling more than 30,000,000 yards of material had been placed with Northern Irish firms by his Ministry. ]n the last war Ulster had met in a very great measure the total need of linen for aircraft wings. In the present war the industry was directed to other needs, such as canvas for waterproof coverings, and material for lighter patterns of uniforms. Manufacturers had given the Ministry great help in turning over heavy power looms to the making of cotton goods where a flax shortage demanded the use of substitute materials.

Dr. Burgin detailed other phases of Northern Ireland's war contribution in the way of materials, and drew special attention to the increased activity in shipbuilding there, also to the manufacture of guns, mountings and armoured fighting vehicles. One firm employed 20,000 hands in aircraft manufacture for the Air Ministry. whose large orders, already placed, would be substantially increased when developments at present in hand were completed.

Dr. Burgin said that Britain was pledged to total warfare. The dice, he said, were loaded in favour of an Anglo-French victory, because German trade was reduced to a trickle. The raw materials being consumed were not replaceable substantially from llussia, or usefully from Italy.

RECALL FOR REPORTS BRITISH ENVOYS ABROAD LONDON, Marcb -2S The British Government has recalled its Minister at Budapest, vMr. Owen OM alley, for consultations on economic and political questions. The Foreign Office announces that all the British envoys in South-East-Europe, also the Ambassador to Turkey, have been recalled to London to confer with the Foreign Secretary, Viscount Halifax.! This action follows France's decision to call home her envoys for consultation.

GAOL FOR SPIES - DUTCH WHO AIDED NAZIS AMSTERDAM, March 2S Two high Government officials have been imprisoned for espionage on behalf of Germany. They are Van Hoeven, of the Ministry of Economic Affairs, who was sentenced to two and a-half years, and his chief clerk. 18 months. Van Hoeven's wife was also sentenced to IS months in gaol. Photographs of Ministerial documents fell into the hands of the police, who noticed that the margin of one bore the design of a carpet. They found that the design matched a earpet in Van Hoeven's house. This proved to be the master clue. WATCH ON SHIPS MEASURE AGAINST SPIES (Received March 2!.t. *>■'> P.m.) LONDON. March 2S Armed sentries guarded- all neutral cargo ships and trawlers at Grimsby ancF Hull throughout the day. and the crews ot all neutral ships m east t oast ports have been forbidden either to come ashore or to receive visitors. These precautions are part of a new dtito against espionage. SEIZED AT BERMUDA MAIL FOR AMERICA (Received March 20, p.m.) NEW YORK, March 28 The Bermuda authorities removed 15401b. of mail destined for the United States from a west-bouncl Clipper when sho landed there because of adverse winds. QUIET NIGHT ON FRONT (Received March 2!». p.m.) British Wireless LONDON..March 28 A French communique reports: —"A quiet night on the Western Front, with patrol activity on both sides, especially in the region of the Vosgtis."