BUSH FIRE FEARS

New Zealand Herald, Volume 81, Issue 25050, 14 November 1944, Page 6

BUSH FIRE FEARS

AUSTRALIAN DROUGHT COUNTRY LIKE TINDER THREAT TO AGRICULTURE By Telegraph—Press Association— Copyright (Special Australian Correspondent) (Reed. 7.30 p.m.) SYDNEY, Nov. 13 The continued drought in parts of Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria and South Australia is accentuating the danger of bush fires in the parched areas. This warning has been given by the New South Wales divisional meteorologist, Mr D. J. Mares.

Mr Mares said that the squally, dry winds and hot weather had persisted so' long that they had had a deteriorating effect on the vegetation. The countryside was like tinder in many places and the least spark would set it ablaze. Only one month in the past ten had produced an "above tho averago" rainfall. Heat Wave Grips New South Wales Practically the whole of New South Wales is now in the grip of a heat wave, with temperatures at some inland reaching as high as 110 degrees. Hot winds have caused severe dust storms in the drought areas. Small bush and gfass fires have already occurred, but have been put under control. _ Widespread publicity is being given to the grave danger of fires, which is regarded as* much worse than at the beginning of last summer when Victoria experienced some of tho most disastrous bush fires on record. Unless heavy rains bring early relief to the drought areas Australia's meat production next year may fall by 100,000 tons, according to a statement made today by the Commonwealth DirectorGeneral of Agriculture, Mr F. W. Bulcock. Because of Australia's large service and export commitments, he said, a serious position would develop ijf production fell below 1,000,000 tons. , ' Sheep for Is a Head

Australian meat production last year ■was 1,035,000 tons, Mr Balcock added, ■bub the drought had put large meatproducing areas out of action. In some districts sheep were being offered for sale at Is a head without attracting buyers. Sheep were dying in fairly large numbers for lack of feed. Milk production is also falling and the Jatest hot winds have "pinched" the grain, which is likely furthfer toreduco the wheat yield below the first estimate of 20,000,000 bushels. " Late this afternoon thunderstorms over Victoria and New South Wales, indicating unsettled weather, gave some hope of rains. CIVIL AVIATION COMPROMISE LIKELY COUNTER-PLAN ;(Becd. 9.30 p.m.) NEW YORK. Nov. 13 The Chicago aviation conference has reached a crisis which should determine whether it will end in siiccess or failure, eays the New York Times. At present Mr Berle and Lord Swinton, leaders of the United States and British delegations respectively, are trying to reach a settlement, according to the best-in-formed circles. Prospepts favour some sort of limited agreement, with certain vital problems left for a later settlement.

So far the United States delegation is insisting that post-war aviation must be conducted on a basis of free competition, while the British and Canadians have not receded from their stand favouring broad powers for a world authority to allocate routes, frequencies and rates. However, there are indications that the British are willing to accept the Canadian counter-proposal by which the prestige of the British Empire would be preserved and, at the same time, United States a\ r iation interests would be protected.

The Canadian proposal envisages a clause providing that after the initial axvard of schedules each operator's right to increase the frequencies (numbers of trips allowed to each airline) would be based on the amount of business the operator was capable of handling within a given period. f/ The New York Times points out that, since the United States is confident that it.will be able to take the lead in aviation under any system that does not give permanent preferential treatment to other nations, it is believed that the Canadian plan has a good chance of acceptance if the British agree to it. CHINESE POLICY PEACETIME AMBITIONS [(Reed. 9.30 p.m.)' NEW YORK, Nov. 12 The Chinese delegates to the air conference in Chicago announced that the policy of closed air over Chinese territory would be revised in peacetime to welcome the expansion of plentiful' and efficient foreign air services in the country. At the same time the Chinese indicated strong support for the American view that the world aviation authority at present should have power in the technical field only, with Consultative and advisory functions regarding economic and political matters. • The Chinese delegation leader, Kiang Au-chang,, said that after the war China intended to rebuild domestic services and expand to India, Burma, Malaya, Indo-China, the Philippines, Korea and Japan. She also hoped to establish a eystem of air lines through the Netherlands East Indies to Australia, and via India to Europe and Africa, as well as across the Pacific to America. PUPPET RULER'S T)EATH DR WANG CHING-WEI NEW YORK, Nov. 12 The Tokyo radio announced the death cf Dr Wang Ching-wei, head of the Chinese puppet Government, who went to Japan in March for medical treatment. Japanese doctors in December operated for the removal of a bullet which was fired in an attempt to assassinate Wang Ching-wei in June, 1943.

Wang Ching-wei, who became head of the Japanese-controlled Nanking regime in 19-10, was until December, 1938, the most distinguished figure in the .Central Government of China after Marshal Chiang Kai-shek. In 1938 he was deputy director-general of the Kuomintang and chairman of the People's Political Council. The break with the Central Government came when ho persistently advocated a negotiated peace with Japan. When, in December, 1938, he called for a Chinese revolt and began negotiating with the Japanese army, ho was branded as a traitor and fled by air from Chungking. Ho established himself in Shanghai, and the Japanese made use of him when they wanted a distinguished figurehead for their puppet Government in occupied China._ Wang Ching-woi was born in Kwangtung Province in 1884. He was described as youthful in appearance and of magnetic personality. Ho was a poet and orator of exceptional quality.

FRANCO AND ROOSEVELT

' MADRID, Nov. 12 -General Franco has cabled Mr Roosevelt congratulating him on his re-elec-tion as President of the United States.