CALM COURAGE

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVII, Issue 23769, 24 September 1940, Page 8

CALM COURAGE

NEUTRAL TESTIMONY

LONDONERS' ATTITUDE GERMAN TERROR DEFIED By Telegraph—Press Association —Copyright British Wireless LONDON, Sept. 22 A press message from Zurich gives an extract from a despatch published in the Neue Zurcher Zeitung from its London correspondent, in which he describes what he has seen of London under repeated German night bombing. "The calm courage of the people of London deserves the highest admiration," the correspondent says. "Even among tbose suffering most, one can rarely hear complaints. One consoles another, and willingness to help one another and share possessions regardless of class distinctions is wonderful to see.

"The attitude of Londoners is all the more admirable as; the}' realise that the air raids are likely to continue and may become worse, and they realise they must stay at thesir posts. Air raids or no air raids they are proud to bear the brunt of the fighting and show the world that the British will not be terrorised by German methods. "I myself am convinced that Britain's war industry lias not been affected, and that the air attacks on London have no military object." The Japanese newspaper Nichi Nichi Shimbun publishes a despatch from its Berlin correspondent giving an account of a telephone conversation he had with Mr. T. Okamoto, who has been a counsellor in the Japanese Embassy in London. The latter, speaking from Madrid, said the Japanese residents in London were well and cheerful. He reported that there were mo signs of any intention on the. Government's part to move away from London. London people were calm, and trains and buses were running as usual. INDIAN NAVY MARKED EXPANSION POWERFUL LOCAL FORCE NEW SHIPBUILDING PLANS British Wireless LONDON, Sept. 22 In consequence; of the steady growth of India's naval strength, Vice-Admiral H. FitzHerbert, whose term of appointment as Flag Officer Commanding the Royal Indian Navy has recently been extended for another year from November next, has under his command the most powerful naval force ever to keep guard in India's own waters. Indian shipyards are now working at the full capacity of the building slips available on. the initial scheme of expansion. Australian shipyards are helping with larger local naval defence craft. New modern sloops from Britain will shortly further increase the offensive strength of the Indian naval forces. Following the entry of Italy into the war, the personnel of the Indian Navy, which has already been expanded 200 per cent since September, 1939, is to be expanded still further. The security of the Red Sea route from India to the Middle East is strikingly illustrated by the fact that no fewer than 7} troop and .military supply ships proceeded without a single casualty from Indian ports to their destination between September 1, 1939, and August 1, 1940. Nine hundred and forty-four special military trains were run to and from Indian ports in the first year of the war, and among the units which journeyed safely overseas on active service was the famous Bikaner Camel Corps.

EMPIRE SUPPLIES OUTPUT FROM INDIA FLAX, STEEL AND IRON (Received Sept-ember 23, 3.5 p.m.) British Wireless LONDON, Sept. 22 In the India Conference controllers of supplies are at present investigating the manufacture in India itself of many ordnance stores hitherto imported. ' A scheme for the expansion of clothing production is being implemented nnd production is steadily rising. A report on germination tests of flax seeds isi considered satisfactory and it has been decided to proceed with a scheme for the cultivation of flax. Britain has been informed that India, after meeting present steel demands from the Middle East, Irak, Kenya and Uganda, can provide a balance of light steel products of 10,000 tons a month and also a further 10,000 tons of scrap a month for the next 12 months. Arrangements have been completed for the supply of 300,000 tons of pig and foundry iron to Britain at the rate of 50,000 tons a month.

FRENCH WARSHIPS ■ ATTACK BY BRITISH REPORT NOT CONFIRMED LONDON, Sept. 22 A German wireless broadcast intercepted in New York contained a Vichy despatch asserting that British warships had attacked a French naval squadron off Dakar, French West Africa, and damaged one French vessel. Details are obscure. However, the announcer indicated that the French cruisers had returned to Dakar because of the British warships' superior gunpower. A message from Melbourne says the Australian Naval Board advises that there is no official confirmation of the New York report of naval action off Dakar. CANADIAN WAR LOAN HUGE TOTAL SUBSCRIBED (Received September 28, 5.5 p.m.) OTTAWA, Sept. 22 The second Canadian war loan has closed with a total of 342,248,300 dollars subscribed.