AIRCRAFT OUTPUT

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVII, Issue 23661, 21 May 1940, Page 8

AIRCRAFT OUTPUT

AMERICAN LIMITS PRODUCTION OF MOTORS LINDBERGH DECRIES DANGER By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright (Received May 'JO, 5..'{5 p.m.) WASHINGTON, May 10 Th© Secretary of the Treasury, Mr. H. Morgenthau, said the United States was capable of producing two and a-half times as many aeroplanes as at present, but motor production was already at top capacity, with home and Allied orders. The aircraft situation would have been worpe if the Allies had not put 60,000,000 dollars into plant expansion. " Hysterical Chatter " Colonel Charles Lindbergh, in a broadcast, expressed the opinion that there was no danger of an aerial invasion of the United States from Europe, and talk of it was "hysterical chatter." Ho urged that all American States should unite in a defence plan to enable ail attack from air or sea to be repulsed. Reiterating the isolationist arguments, Colonel Lindbergh said the only danger of America's being involved was from the desire of an influential minority. The Secretary of State, Mr. Cordell Hull, read a message sent by President Boosevelt on the occasion of "foreign trade week." Need to Increase Strength "We are all profoundly conscious of the black cloud of war which is hanging over so much of the world's surface," the President stated. "The tragic events are eloquent testimony to the fundamental need of liberal and economic policies in international affairs if future frictions, conflicts and wars are to bo averted. "Wo must increase our national strength, redouble the national vigour and courage, and create adequate dofence against any armed challenge. We must hold ever ready the proven instrument of constructive action and stable peace provided in our trade agreements programme." LIGHTS OF LONDON CHANGE DUE TO THE WAR POWER SUPPLIERS' HEAVY LOSS [from our own correspondent] - LONDON, April 30 Electricity prices have risen throughout the country and every consumer will bo faced with considerably higher bills. The three main reasons outlined by one of the companies operating in London are: —Evacuation of commercial and • domestic consumers, blackout, and rising costs. Since the beginning of the war over 15,000 consumers have vacated their premises and asked for. their supply of electricity to be disconnected, apart from many who left without any such request. Only 5000 have been reconnected. When the proverbial "lights of London," long associated with Piccadilly and the West End. were switched off, 91 miles of street lighting was temporarily disconnected. Shop window lighting after dark no longer exists. At the outbreak of war all theatres and cinemas in the company's area were closed for seven weeks. Since then cinemas have operated on a staggeredhour plan and many theatres remain unopened. Tlie first four months of war showed a total loss in consumption to one of the supply companies of. 54,000.000 units, and 86,400 kilowatts of consumers' apparatus were disconnected or disused. This, with the other factors mentioned, represents a loss of £250,000 in revenue for this period. NEEDS OF MODERN WAR GUNS WEAR OUT QUICKER [from OUR OWN' correspondent] LONDON, April QG "To uniform and equip the Army, to supply them with guns, ammunition, tanks and vehicles, must, in a modern world war, involve an enormous variety of weapons, of spare parts, of vehicles," said Mr. Leslie Burgin, Minister of Supply, speaking at Belfast yesterday. "Lifo moves faster than it did 25 years ago. Guns shoot further, shoot quicker, shells weigh heavier and are of larger dimensions. They use more explosives and they wear out quicker than last time. Hence it is that all our resources must be thrown into total .war."