SURRENDER NEWS

New Zealand Herald, Volume 82, Issue 25203, 16 May 1945, Page 6

SURRENDER NEWS

SEEMED ALMOST UNREAL THOUGHTS OF MEN IN NAVY (From Noel Chappell, P.A. Correspondent Sib? with the British Pacific Fleet) SEAR ISHJGAKI, May 9 Battleships, carriers, cruisers and destroyers of the British Pacific Fleet task force were within 70 miles of Ishikagki and a bomber strike had just taken olf when hostilities Ceased in Europe, The local time here was 9 a.m. and the fleet was underlining the words of the King and Mr Churchill thai the ' prostration of Germany was still to be ' succeeded by, the destruction of the Japanese, forces. The pews of the capitulation of Germany was heard by the force during a cold and wet middle watch the night i before last while steaming toward the Sakishima Islands and it was flashed to all men of this ship over the broadcasting system as they scrambled to action stations before dawn yesterday. Although daily expected, the event when it came was almost incredible and its significance was hard to grasp." For men so long in the war ana still in it. the collapse of Germany was almost unreal. In any case, the fleet was too busy to do more than think of the effects sporadically, but the inward elation was progressive as news continued to pour'in. Men from the United Kingdom thought of the result on their families, of scenes in Piccadilly, and the rebuilding to be done. They also, in surg rising numbers, spoke of children in ritain, and the bananas, oranges and toys they might now expect to see. A special American broadcast heard yesterday afternoon gave details of its signing of the capitulation, and for the Japanese there was bitter irony in the fact that the broadcasting station wis on the island of Okinawa. The ship's chaplain held a thanksgiving service and Mr Churchill's speech was braai cast throughout the ship. Extra loudspeakers n-sre installed f - the purpose. And today, while early morning fighter patrols were probing in bad weather over Sakishima, we heard Admiral Rawlings over the force telfr phone broadcasting system tell us that the Admiralty had ordered "Splice the main brace," so when the operation permits every officer and man will receive a tot of rum.

LOCAL AND GENEBALi] Sportsman's Lucky Shot A feat of which many sportsmen dream, but which few achieve, was par-' formed yesterday by Mr C. E. Rhodes, of Dargavflle, when he shot three cock pheasants with one cartridge. The bird# ] rose from the ground together and were closely grouped when Mr Rhodes fired from a distance of 20 yards. He discharged one barrel and the three birds fell. Bequest to Missions TJnder the will of Mr Samuel Walton Smeeton, retired grocer, whose death occurred on April 13, " the London Missionary Society will eventually benefit by the greater part of his estate. It has been valued for probate at under £I6OO, and subject to a life'interest the bulk of it is to go to the New Zealand treasurer of the London Missionary Society. Wine Offer Declined Some amusement was caused at a sitting of the Royal Commission on licensing yesterday when a wine manufacturer at the conclusion of his evidence tendered two bottles of his product to the commission to enable members to judge its qualities. Mr Justice Smith, the chairman, thanked the witness, but asked that the commission be excused from accepting the offer. Unusual Theft Breaking a leadlight panel on the front door of the home of Mrs F. E. Bell, 88 Sarsfield Street, Heme Bay, on Monday night, thieves went to a bedroom and stripped a bed of its blankets; They left the house with five blankets and a rug as well as a small quantity of jewellery. They spent some time in the house, as cupboards and drawers m other rooms were found to have been ransacked when the occupants of the house returned after attending & picture theatre. Wages and Living Costs "Within the next few months, unless the regulations are altered, wages must be raised another five per cent. That, in itself, will be the cause for a furtherincrease in the cost of living index and before long another five per cent increase will coine. That is what will happen if the Government does nothing in the present situation," said Mr W. W. Mutholland, Dominion president of the New Zealand Farmers Union, m an address to farmers in Hastings. Mr Mulholland said stabilisation was in danger, and conditions were moving toward economic chaos. He considered the reason for the Government's indecision was the pressure put on it bv organised unions, which did not have the required knowledge. Harbour Board's Loan Contribution The sum of £25,000 has been invested in the Victory Loan by the Auckland Harbour Board. The action of the chairman, Mr J. H. Frater, in pledging tne board to subscribe this: amount, endorsed at a meeting of the board yesterday. Mr Frater said that he acted in response to the wish that tn loan should lie half-subscribed befor its opening date. Last year the boar had subscribed £60,000. but that h»a been to a £40,000,000 loan. It rather strained the board's finances a this year he had felt that £25,000 ,| as much as the board could subscr * Subject to the necessary validating i » islation, the board decided yesteraa give £IOOO toward the fund to e a chair of obstetrics and gynaeco S3 j at Auckland. . •