PASSAGE URGED

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVIII, Issue 23879, 1 February 1941, Page 9

PASSAGE URGED

"AID BRITAIN" BILL COMMITTEE'S REPORT INTERESTS OF AMERICA By Telegraph—Press Association —Copyright (Received January 3.1, 7.40 p.m.) WASHINGTON, Jan. 30 The House of Representatives' Foreign Affairs Committee approved by 17 votes to 8 the President's "Aid for Britain" Bill with minor amendments. The bill was sent to the House, and the debate is expected to commence on Monday. The majority report of the committee stated: "As far as the human mind can evaluate the situation, the probable effect of the bill will he to keep us from war, rather than to get us into it, The prompt enactment of the bill is of the highest importance to the vital interests of our country —even to our civilisation." The Senate Foreign Relations Committee has invited Mr. Wendell Willkie to be the final witness of the. "Aid for Britain" Bill hearings. Mr. James W. Gerard, former United States Ambassador to Germany, told the Senate Foreign Relations Committee that Germany, if victorious, would seize Mexico. He said he favoured a declaration of war against Germany now. President's Assurance The State Department has revealed that President Roosevelt, when he greeted Viscount Halifax on January 24, assured him of the United States' determination "to continue on an everincreasing scale" the assistance to Britain. President Roosevelt said: "Britain and the United States have iong been linked in intimate bonds of blood and friendship. I am confident your presence in the United States will increasingly strengthen these strong ties. Let me assure you that you may always count on my full co-operation and the cooperation of the various agencies of this Government. "I assure you further of our firm determination to continue, on an everincreasing scale, our assistance to Britain and make available munitions and supplies now flowing from the United States'-rapidly-expanding industrial facilities." Ultimate Triumph Lord Halifax said he would attempt to follow the late Lord Lothian's example by doing all in his power to maintain and strengthen the close relations between Britain and the United States. "1 take up office when the help the people of the United States are giving Britain assumes ever-increasing importance," said Lord Halifax. "That assistance is already invaluable, and its continuance will assuredly secure the triumph of our cause. You will suffer no loss, we are resolved."

In a speech at Indianapolis, Mr. Alfred P. Sloan, chairman of the board of General Motors Corporation, urged "all-out" aid to Britain. He approved of vesting strong emergency powers in the President. "I would go the limit in giving Britain first call on our resources of production," said Mr. Sloan. GERMAN SHIP SAILS HEAVY CARGO FROM CHILE (Received January 31, 8.40 p.m.) TALCAHUANO (Chile), Jan. 30 The German merchantman Portland, a Hamburg-Amerika Line motor-ship of 7132 tons, which has been in refuge here throughout the war, has sailed for an unknown destination. She has a heavy cargo of cereals, lumber and copper. NAVAL LOSSES SUBMARINE AND TRAWLER (Received January 31, 6.50 p.m.) LONDON, Jan. 30 The headquarters of the Netherlands Navy announced the loss of a submarine, which is unnamed. The British Admiralty announces that the trawler Peton has been sunk, says a British official wireless message. GIFT FROM EAST INDIES British Wireless LONDON, Jan. 30 A gift of £SOOO from Prince Bernhard on behalf of the Netherlands East Indies is among those acknowledged by Lord Beaverbrook, Minister of Aircraft Production. ANOTHER FATAL CRASH AUSTRALIAN AIR FORCE (Received January 31, 11.20 p.m.) BRISBANE, Jan. 31

Two Royal Australian Air Force officers were killed to-day while engaged in blind-flying practice. The victims were James Unsworth and Godl'rcy Turner.

The aeroplane came out of a cloud and went into a steep dive from 4000 ft. It flattened out near the ground and crashed into a tree.