TOBRUK HEROES

New Zealand Herald, Volume 78, Issue 24101, 21 October 1941, Page 8

TOBRUK HEROES

GENERAL'S TRIBUTE PRIDE IN EXPLOITS FORTITUDE AND SKILL (Reed. 7.40 p.m.) LONDON, Oct. 19 The Chief of the Imperial General Staff, General Sir John Dill, in a message broadcast in a special "Tribute to Tobruk" programme, said : "I welcome the opportunity of speaking to you officers and men of the Tobruk garrison. I have long wanted to congratulate you all, from your commander and his principal staff officer to the youngest soldier who may have done his lirst patrol last night. "You have done and are doing great work. We are proud of you. Wo at home hear daily with pride of the exploits of your fighting patrols, your artillery and your tanks. We realise the trying conditions under which you live, work, play and fight. We know something of what yoursandstornismean and we know the constant vigilance your special task demands. We can hear your cheerful grouses as you labour to make your defences as perfect as they now are.

"Like you, we applaud the determination and gallantry of the seafaring men who keep you supplied. Although this is a war of movement, garrisons have none the less a vital part to play. To mention only one, Malta sitting tight and defying attacks, has helped to keep the 'Mediterranean open for us. in the same way, you of the Tobruk garrison have been a bulwark of the defence of Kgypt. "You have withstood the enemy assault from the air; you have repulsed attacks on the ground and used every opportunity to strike back. By your fortitude you have won the admiration of your countrymen. By your skill in defence and attack you nave set an example to the Army. Good luck to you all and God bless you." INCREASE EXPORTS POST-WAR RECOVERY ENGLAND'S TRADE POSITION (Reed. 7.-14 p.m.) NEW YORK, Oct, 19 On the theory that in the post-war world it is inevitable that Britain must experience a shift in international trade favourable to herself if she is to achieve satisfactory rehabilitation, the United States Department of Commerce, in a report, said that the only sound means of realising this necessary end was the creation of a world which would permit Britain to export more goods than she did before the war. Failure to create the necessary conditions for Britain to export more than she exported before the war, it was maintained, would result, not only in a precarious position for England herself, but, in turn, must lead to widespread distress in the whole realm of international primary production. No other solution was seen, the report continued, than that the North American continent should dispose itself to the importation of goods on a scale far larger than it had ever done before, while Britain made every possible effort to take advantage of the opportunity offered.

After the war a victorious England would obviously be a poorer England, and perhaps a debtor to some major countries of supply. The bulk of such external assets as remained would be dependent for earning power on a Britain with a heavily-impaired capacity to import at prices favourable to overseas producers.

ECONOMIC STABILITY NEW CANADIAN POLICY OTTAWA, Oct. 19 The Minister of Canada, Mr. Mackenzie King, in a broadcast address, announced that a sweeping system of wage and price control would be introduced from November, concurrent with the enforcement of new measures for the stabilisation of agricultural prices. The Government's policy was to provide a safeguard against uncontrolled inflation, the Prime Minister said, and also meant intensifying the war effort. He added that beginning from November 15 the Government would prohibit the sale or supply of goods or services between September 15 and October 11. Wages would be established on a system of basic rates which employers would be forbidden to increase, but the fixed rates would be supplemented by bonuses according to the rise or fall in the cost of living. LEAVING KABUL GERMANS AND ITALIANS LONDON, Oct. 19 The Kabul radio states that Italian and German nationals are to leave Afghanistan. The announcer said that Afghanistan accepted Britain's offer for safe transit of Italians and Germans via India, Irak and Turkey to their own countries, and the Italian and German legations had agreed. The announcer added that Afghanistan's neutral attitude had often been stressed. The Government had specially endeavoured to see that foreign elements did not infringe her neutral attitude. Especially during the present war Afghanistan was doing her utmost to maintain and preserve friendly relations with her neighbours.

BOMBS ON BRITAIN

SPORADIC NIGHT RAIDS (Kecd. 11.30 p.m.) LONDON, Oct. 20 An official communique states that at dusk last night a single enemy aircraft dropped bombs at a place on the East Anglian coast, causing some damage. Soon after nightfall a few enemy aircraft crossed the coast and bombs were dropped at three points, at one of which there was slight damage. A few people were injured in East Anglia. One enemy - aircraft was destroyed.