MR CHAMBERLAIN RETURNS

Southland Times, Issue 24005, 21 December 1939, Page 5

MR CHAMBERLAIN RETURNS

DAY ON SNOWBOUND WESTERN FRONT PRAISE FOR EFFICIENCY OF TROOPS (Received December 20, 7.10 p.m.) LONDON, December 19. The Prime Minister (Mr Neville Chamberlain) returned after an active day on the snow-bound Western Front. In a broadcast he testified to the enjoyment of his visit to France, the deep impression created by the troops and air components and his amazement at the efficiency they had so soon attained. He expressed delight at the excellent relations between British troops and French civilians. Mr Chamberlain wished all ranks a Happy Christmas and best luck in the New Year. Mr Chamberlain in the course of his tour of the Maginot Line at a number of points took the salute at a march past. When his tour was completed he expressed to the Allied Commander-in-Chief (General Marie Gamelin) his deep gratitude for the honours paid to him and his admiration at the scale and completeness of the French defence system. BRITISH EXCHEQUER RETURNS REVENUE AND EXPENDITURE SHOW INCREASES (British Official Wireless) (Received December 20, 6.30 p.m.) RUGBY, December 19. The Exchequer returns give a total ordinary revenue for the period from April 1 to December 16 as £516,946,150, as compared with £471,063,906 for the same period last year. The total ordinary expenditure for this period was £814,453,037, compared with £713,767,375 last year..