SECURITY SCREEN

New Zealand Herald, Volume 82, Issue 25160, 24 March 1945, Page 6

SECURITY SCREEN

DEFENCE IN PACIFIC NEEDS OF THE FUTURE SEA AND AIR POWER CO-OPERATION ESSENTIAL (Reed. 11 p.m.) CANBERRA, March 23 The defence of Australia involved co-operation with foreign powers, and American co-operation was of paramount importance, said the Prime Minister, Mr Curtin, in %he House ,of Representatives. The security of Australia and New Zealand was best achieved by a system of defence based on an island screen to the north of these Dominions, he added. The holding of this island screen meant sea power, air power and garrisons, with installations and facilities such as docks and aerodromes. "The local defence of the mainlands of Australia and New Zealand entails similar demands," said Mr Curtin. "The crux of the situation is the capacity of Australia and New Zealand to proride for the defence of the screen and at the same time for the local defence of their territories. In fact, it is impracticable for Australia and New Zealand to defend the area unaided."

Regarding sea pover, the Prime Minister said it was necessary to combat a potential enemy such as Japan to have a base in a suitable strategical position and a fleet which could ensure command of the se.i in the South-west Pacific area, apart from the maintenance of overseas communications to this area. "Australia and New Zealand cannot provide a fleet and equip a base like .Singapore as a bastion of defence of British interests in the Pacific,Mr Curtin said. "Co-toperation with Britain is therefore essential. The defence of the screen also involves co-operation with foreign powers, such as the Netherlands, Portugal, the United States and France. From Australia's war experience it will be apparent that American co-operation is of paramount importance." The securitv of Australia or anv other part of the British Commonwealth in future would rest on three safeguards—firstly, a system of collective security organised on a world and regional basis; secondly, the degree ol Empire co-operation which could be established; thirdly, national defence, the policv for which was purely the responsibility of the Governments concerned. SAWMILL HOURS OBJECTION TO REDUCTION COMPROMISE PROPOSED (0.C.) INVERCARGILL, Friday Sawmill workers in Southland have taken exception to the action of the employers "in eliminating overtime. The award provides for a 40-hour week of five days. However, when there was an urgent demand for timber for defence purposes the Government made an order that the industry was to work a 48-hour week of six days. The workers were paid time and a-half for the eight hours' overtime. When the order was withdrawn the sawmillers decided to return to the 40-hour week, but the workers objected. They wanted to carry on with the 48hour week. A compromise is now in sight. Word ha.s been received from the Timber Controller that regional timber controllers are being authorised to allow an average working week of 44 hours for the next six months, provided both parties at the mill arrange the spread of hours to their mutual satisfaction. It is stated that the employers have agreed to pay double time for work done on Saturday afternoons when it is so arranged. The proposal is that the men should work every other Saturday—that is. 40 hours one week and 48 hours the next week, and that they should be paid double time for the four hours of the Saturday afternoon on which they work. A meeting of representatives* of Southland sawmillers and of their workers is to be held next week to discuss the matter. EASTER TRAINS HEAVY BOOKINGS MADE In addition to the usual 3 p.m. Auckland to Wellington express next Thursday, and the limited express which will leave at 7.15 p.m. on Thursday instead of on Good Friday, the Railway Department has announced that there will be an extra express leaving Auckland at 3.30 p.m. for Wellington. There will be a relief train leaving Hamilton at 12.49 p.m. on Thursday for Auckland. There has been heavy booking _ for the Easter period, but in comparison with Easter in previous years, there will be very few people travelling. ALL NIGIIT IN QUEUE RUSH FOR TRAIN SEATS (P.A.) DUNEDIN, Friday M any hundreds of Dunedin and Otago residents waited in vain at the railway station and city travel agencies this morning to book reserved seats for Easter holiday journeys beginning next Friday. No extra trains are being provided at Easier this year and the number of seats available on Good Friday is exceeded many times by the number of applications at the Dunedin railway station. A queue began to form at about £ o'clock last night and was augmented steadily throughout the night as newcomers arrived. The first man in the queue was the secretary of' the St. Kilda Band, who wanted to book 42 seats for members of the band to travel to Christchurch. He was successful and so were the majority of the persons who took their places in the queue before 5 o'clock this morning, butfJbho.se who did not rise from their beds before that- time failed to get seats on the north express. THEFT FROM GARAGE (0.C.) HAMILTON, Friday Intruders gained access to a garage, the property of Mr W. L. Johnston, Ngaruawahia, last evening by removing the side door from its hinges. Four gallons of were taken frorri the tank of a motor-car and some petrol coupons were stolen. An attempt appeared to have heen made to remove the car. Entry to the Horotiu post office was also effected last evening by intruders, rvho forced a back window. Nothing iyas taken.