U.S. BATTLEPLANES.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume XLV, Issue 14593, 1 May 1918, Page 3

U.S. BATTLEPLANES.

THE GREAT EFFORT TO SAVE FpOD.

PHILADELPHIA, February 22. The despatch of ouv first battleplanes (to France}, announced by the Secretary of War, Mr. Baker, is the most satisfactory answer that could be made to complaints of delay, since these planes were not due across the water under the original schedule until July! An important point is not the actual number of machines sent m this' first invoice, but the fact that the mere announcement stimulates the volunteering of the army df mechanics needed to maintain, the machines at their highest efficiency, and also accelerates the production of new machines. This was already rapidly increasing, now that complex initial problems duo to change m types have beon overcome.

Aside from the ever-present issue of tonnage, our paramount concern is production, conservation, and export of wheat for the needs of the Allies. Wii.h every hour onr people are drawing the belt tighter, without suffering from their self-denial. A third of our whe^t, «i fifth of our pork, a tenth oi our beef and mutton, and a tenth of our sugar will be saved by a strict compliance with the Food Administration calendar to which most of our people are already conforming. War kitchens, 'wlje.ro the making of war bread js demonstrated, are «. feature of the life of all cities, and women are taught by women that the stove is the altar of patriotic sacrifice.

The movement of back to the land with the tractor plough for women is of, put' standing importance, and whatever prejudice against feminine employment still exists among, farmers will be quickly dissipated by their need of labor. Hopes and prayers and toiling hands are behind our men at the front m momentary expectation of the great German thrust.

Three Australian soldiers wounded at Gallipoli have commenced a campaign m San Francisco to raise a. mjUion dollars for the Otobs,