TURKISH PORTS

New Zealand Herald, Volume 80, Issue 24540, 24 March 1943, Page 3

TURKISH PORTS

BRITISH BUILDING PIERS ALEXANDRETTA AND MERSIN (Eecd. {>,35 p.m.) LONDON, March 22 Britain is rebuilding the ports of Alexandretta, on the southern coast of Turkey, near the Syrian border, and Mersin, about 80 inile3 to the west, under a contract between the Turkish Government and the United Kingdom Commercial Corporation. These,' ports are connected by rail with Aleppo and are thus linked with the important centres of Beirut, Haifa,

Port Said and Alexandria, and also with the railway passing through Mosul, Bagdad and Basra to tlio Persian Gulf. A deep-water pier being constructed fit Alexandretta will be 440 yards long and capable of berthing large oceangoing vessels. A pier is being constructed at Mersin to handle thousands of tons of merchandise daily. Other harbour improvements are being made at both ports. SIGNS OF ACTIVITY EASTERN MEDITERRANEAN LONDON, March 11 Berlin radio states that Turkish observers see in the transfer of the Greek Government from London to Cairo fresh signs of impending Allied military action in the Eastern Mediterranean. FOOD RESTRICTIONS SACRIFICE BY AUSTRALIANS (Special Australian Correspondent) MELBOURNE, March *23 Australians will have to accept regimentation of their food supplies, because the food front may well be_ the most important of the United Nations' War fronts for the remainder of the struggle. This warning has been given by the Minister of Supply, Mr. J. Beaslev, "'ho, besides foreshadowing further control over the consumption of foodstuffs, said Australia must increase its production in order to honour its obligation •jo feed the people of Britain and other 'Allied nations, and the countries won hark from the en em v. Mr. Be asloy made bis statement following a meeting of the Food Council. Other announcements included: — No rice for civilians this year because of the urgent demands of the New Guinea natives and the army. .Extra canned fruit and chocolate for <yvilia n consumption. A survey of butter prices, wages ami Wnnpower in the dairying industry will made. The Food Council has approved a Goirmionwoalth-finaneed "grow more ypgotdbles" campaign.