BRITISH ORDERS

Timaru Herald, Volume CXLVIII, Issue 21557, 20 January 1940, Page 9

BRITISH ORDERS

Australia To Supply

Munitions

New Zealand Will Be Customer

United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright (Received January 19, 6.30 p.m.) MELBOURNE, January 19. The War Cabinet has approved orders from the British Government for £2,750,000 worth of Australian munitions. The Federal Cabinet has decided to spend £500,000 more for expansion of Australian resources for the production of new types of guns and explosives, which are secret.

New Zealand Interest

After conferring with the Minister for Defence (Mr G. A. Street) on defence and war problems of common interest to New Zealand and Australia. Mr F. Jones (New Zealand Minister of tiefence) said that Australia’s great expansion in munition-making would make it possible, he hoped, for New Zealand to obtain from the Commonwealth many supplies that it might be difficult to obtain from Britain in war time. Mr Jones said his visit to Australia had convinced him of the need in the future for more frequent exchanges of visits by leading men of each country.

“Although I have been here only three days I have accomplished more than all the letter-writing in the world would have done. On my return to New Zealand I shall be pleased to tell my colleagues that everyone I met in Australia has shown a desire to be helpful to the Dominion. We hope that Mr Menzies will find time to come to the Dominion while the Exhibition is open.”

Seeking Trade Expansion Senator Mcßride (Assistant-Minister for Customs) who is going to New Zealand by air, hopes to start a move for modification of the new Zealand restrictions on imports and for expansion of New Zealand's trade with Australia. Mr Mcßride said: “I am not taking definite trade proposals to New Zealand, but there will be general discussions. Improved trade balances in both Australia and New Zealand make the time opportune for this."