AIR AWARDS

New Zealand Herald, Volume 82, Issue 25105, 19 January 1945, Page 4

AIR AWARDS

15 NEW ZEALANDERS VARIOUS WAR THEATRES (P.A.) WELLINGTON, Thursday One immediate award of a bar to the Distinguished Flying Cross and 14 awards of the Distinguished Flying Cross have boon made to New Zealand airmen serving in various theatres ot war. The recipient of the bar to the Distinguished Flying Cross was Squad-ron-Leader W. T. Brown, D.F.C., of Timaru. The Distinguished Flying Cross was awarded to the following: Acting-Squadron-Leader N. Orchard (Christchurch), acting-Squadron-Leader 11. C. Earl (Wellington), Flight-Lieu-tenant K. H. W. Dixon (Wellington), acting-Flight-Lieutenant H. Stnrrock (Christchurch), actiug-Flight-Lieuton-ant V. J. Andrew, son of Air N. J. Andrew (Auckland), Flying-Officer D. H. Maycroft (Lower Hntt), Flying-Offi-cer D. w. Leo (Knik-Oiira), Flying-Officer I). ,1. Dickie (Tapnnui), Flying-Officer |{ C .Mmson (North Canterbury), Flying-ollicer H. S, Schwass (Nelson), Flying-Ofiicor W. U. Stevens (Auckland), Pilot-Officer A. -7. Mmr (Dunpdin). Pilot-Officer -J. Baines, son of Airs E. H. L. Baines (Auckland), PilotI Officer K. A. Dodrnan. son of Mr H. A. Dodman (Auckland).

Flying-Officer Walter Geoffrey Stevens is the husband of Mrs D. Stevens, of 84. Coates Avenue, Orakei. He is formerly of Otahuhu and before he joined the Royal New Zealand Air Force he was on the staff of the Government Tourist Bureau at Auckland. Flying-Officer Stevens left for Canada in Viarch, 5913. and was commissioned five months later as a navigator. He then went to Great Britain and was posted to a bomber squadron which has been on operations over Europe. MENTION IN DESPATCHES MERI TOR 10US SER VICES . (P.A.) WELLINGTON, Thursday Advice has boon received by the Air Department from the Air Ministry that the following members of the R.N.Z. A.F. serving overseas have been mentioned in despatches for meritorious services:—Group-Captain D. J. Scott, D.5.0., 0.8. E., D.F.C. and bar (Hokitika); Flving-Officer K. W. R. McMillan (Auckland), Flying-Officer J. H. Scott (Invercargi.il), Flying-Oiiicer B. Sloane (Auckland). OFFICERS DECORATED THREE NEW ZEALANDERS UNITED STATES AWARD (P.A.) WELLINGTON, Thursday Stating that there ft'as no greater pleasure for a commander than the making of awards for duties exceptionally well carried out. the United States Commanding General of the South Pacific Base Command, Major-General F. Gilbreath, this afternoon decorated with the United States Legion of Merit three New Zealand Army officers for services rendered in the Pacific. The officers decorated were Brigadier L. G. Goss, Colonel W. G. Bassett and Major P. C. Brunette. General Gilbreath was acting as deputy for the Uftited States Commanding General of the Pacific Area, Lieu-tenant-General R. Richardson, who was unable to come to New Zealand for the ceremony, which was marked by a special parade at Trentbam camp. COMING VISIT AUSTRALIAN OFFICIALS MATTERS FOR DISCUSSION (P.A.) WELLINGTON, Thursday Referring to press reports concerning the forthcoming visit of Australian officials to New Zealand, the High Commissioner Australia. Mr T. G. de L. D'Alton, said it would be wrong to regard the talks as being concerned solely with the development of trade across the Tasman, although this was one of the items listed. The forthcoming discussions arose from the meeting of Australian and New Zealand Ministers in Wellington in November and were designed to achieve the fullest exchange of views on a number of matters of mutual concern. More than a dozen items dealing with international questions in the economic and welfare sphere as well as aspects of Australian and New Zealand relations would be considered.

The Australian delegation will include senior officials from the Departments of External Affairs and Post-War Reconstruction, the Prices Commission. Secondarv Industries Commission, and Trade and Custoihs, Commerce and Agriculture Departments. No Commonwealth Minister would be participating. WARTIME PRICE INDEX THE LATEST FIGURE (P.A.) WELLINGTON. Thursday The wartime price index on December 15 last (on the base that December 15, 1942, equals 1000) was 1004, according to a notice by the Government Statistician gazetted tonight. This figure indicates that the general level of prices of commodities included in the wartime price index was 0.4 per cent higher on December 15 last than on December 15, 1942. HEALTH LEGISLATION AUSTRALIAN INTEREST CANBERRA, Jan. 18 The Minister of Health, Senator Eraser, will leave soon for New Zealand to study health legislation. He will also investigate New Zealand's hospital and unemployment relief schemes. Australia has passed legislation for a free medicine plan and unemployment and sickness benefits, but they will not operate for some months. EGG SUPPLY FALLS RATIONING LIKELY AGAIN With fewer eggs on the market, it is expected that dairies and grocers will soon reimpose rationing. Supplies to retailers have been reduced to 50 per cent of normal requirements, at least one city grocer has already rationed his eggs, and others may follow shortly. Home cookeries are being supplied with egg powder. Officially there has been no relaxation of egg rationing, but recent abundant supplies made it possible to provide eggs lor general consumption. Under the rationing scheme expectant mothers, invalids, children under the age of five years and those persons with special medical certificates are the only groups entitled to receive eggs from retailers.