U-BOATS SUNK

Waikato Times, Volume 126, Issue 21057, 8 March 1940, Page 6

U-BOATS SUNK

<3O O’CLOCK EDITION

FRENCH NAVY’S SUCCESS NAZI TRIPLE SEA THREAT BROKEN BY THE ALLIES (United i-ress Assn.—Elec. Tel. Copyright) (Received March 8, 3.15 p.m.) PARIS, March 7 M. Campinchi announced that the destroyer Simoun has just increased to twelve the number of U-boats which the French Navy has sunk since the outbreak of the war. He added that 18,000 tons of German shipping have been captured. France has sunk one submarine for every merchantman lost. The Germans have not sunk one French warship. The enemy succeeded in sinking 15 French merchantmen, totalling 71,511 tons, but the new French merchantmen and the incorporation of captured ships in the French commercial fleethave made the loss under two per cent. French ports and Imperial sea communications are free despite mines, submarines and planes. During the six months the Navy has convoyed 2000 vessels, comprising 300 convoys. Only four ships have been lost. The Allies have broken the back of Germany’s triple sea threat. TRADE DISPUTE REQUEST TO AMEND ACT DELEGATES TO PREMIER DISAPPOINTMENT WITH REPLY (omclal Wireless) (Received March 8, 3.15 p.m.) RUGBY, March 7 A deputation from the Trades Union Council interviewed the Prime Minister to-day to receive a reply to the case put previously for the repeal of the provisions of the Trades Disputes Act of 1927. An official statement issued after the meeting states that Mr Chamberlain pointed out that legislation was required which would necessarily be highly controversial, and, continued the Prime Minister. “He trusted that with the object of concentrating upon the supreme task of winning the war the trade union movement would not press for reconsideration of any of the provisions of the Act at present.” Mr Chamberlain stated that he was support which the trades union movement was giving to the national war effort, and he felt that “their record in this respect would proportionally strengthen their position in any representations which they might desire to make at the conclusion of the war.”

It is understood that the deputation expressed disappointment at the Prime Minister’s statement, and said it would be necessary to report the position to the General Council.

MAIL CONFISCATED JAPANESE VESSEL HALTED ACTION BY FRENCH SHIP (United Press Assn.—Elec. Tel. Copyright) (Received March 8, 11 a.m.) TOKIO, March 7 The seventh Domei agency states that a French vessel halted the Banko Maru off Haiphong and confiscated a portion of the mail. DEFENCE OF AUSTRALIA £180,000,000 IN TWO YEARS PRIME MINISTER’S APPEAL (United Press Ascn.—Elec. TeJ. Copyright) MELBOURNE, March 7 The Prime Minister, Mr R. G. Menzies, stated that the defence programmes now in hand, including the Empire air scheme, will cost £IBO,000.000 in the first two years of the war. Mr Menzies concluded with an appeal to give up bickering and concentrate on the war task. The military authorities are considering taking over the Caulfield racecourse. A decision will probably be made tomorrow. WARNING TO NEUTRALS SHIPS MAY BE SINK ATTACKS FROM THE AIR DENIALS BY GERMANY United Press Assr».—ctur Tel. Copyright) BERLIN, March 6 Neutral vessels escorted by Allied warships, either voluntarily in convoy or forcibly to a contraband base, are liable to be treated as enemy ships, for which reason they may be attacked from the air. says an official statement issued in Berlin. Accusations that Germany is sinking neutral ships indiscriminately are denied. The statement adds that it is impossible for German air pilots to distinguish whether neutral ships are being escorted voluntarily or forcibly. Such convoys, it is stated, may legitimately be attacked. Pilots have strict orders not to attack unconvoyed neutral ships and never to machine-gun crews.