BRITAIN'S GUN OUTPUT

Otago Daily Times, Issue 24828, 30 January 1942, Page 5

BRITAIN'S GUN OUTPUT

thirtV thousand a year big increase predicted (Rec. 0.45 a.m.) LONDON, Jan. 28. " Britain is now turning out guns at the rate of 30,000 a year, and it is officially estimated that the output by the end of 1942 will be at the rate of 40,000, but I predict that it will be 45,000." declared the Minister for Supply, Lord Beaverbrook, broadcasting on Mr Winston Churchill's mission to America.

He emphasised that we must not expect too much in increased supplies from America in the immediate future, as the Americans had their own necessities. Production, he added, would be well up to the mark, but Britain had to look after the requirements of other nations. Therefore, he hoped for ever bigger achievements in the field of production. Lord Beaverbrook revealed that Mr Churchill had fervently argued with President Roosevelt for the despatch of American troops to Northern Ireland, and when the appeal was finished Mr Roosevelt replied: "We shall send the troops." Mr Churchill worked indefatigably. day and night, with President Roosevelt and the chiefs of staffs, listening to discussions and reading reports and hearing arguments. He explained the problems of India, Europe, the dominions and the Far East.

Lord Beaverbrook concluded: "Of all the services the British Prime Minister has rendered the Empire, this, in my judgment, stands the highest"