THE WHITE FLAG

Waikato Times, Volume 128, Issue 21336, 7 February 1941, Page 6

THE WHITE FLAG

4.30 O’CLOCK EDITION

i SURRENDER OF ITALIANS WELCOME TO BRITISH TRIBUTE BY GRAZIANI (United Tress Assn.—Elec. Tel. Copyright; (Received Feb. 7, 3.15 p.m.) LONDON, Feb. 6 Behind the communique’s* laconic announcement that the advance in Libya is progressing satisfactorily lies a story of the unimpeded drive of the British infantry and mechanised forces through the closelysettled Italian colony round Cyrene and Appolonia. The British advance was not only J not hindered by the troops but was actually encouraged by the settlers, many of whom have come to Africa during the last few years in order to escape imprisonment. There is no sign anywhere of Italy's red, white and green flag, which has been replaced by the white flag of surrender, fluttering from poles hastily stuck m gardens and allotments. The troops vanished as quickly as their flag was abandoned at fortified points, without the slightest attempt at defence. Because they were frightened of Arab pillaging, the colonists were delighted to see the British, whom Marshal Graziani, when he passed through six days ago, described as “gentlemen who will not hurt you and will leave you to work in peace.” A doctor in the little village of Battisto, which was colonised eight years ago, met the British in the’ village square and gave an assurance of loyalty. He declared that most of the people of Battisto were anti-Fascist. A priest stated that Marshal Graziani was still in command when the troops went through last week. The speed of the advance is almost unparalleled in history. The troops altogether covered 350 miles on a steadily widening front in two months. Report From Italy An Italian communique says: Fierce fighting occurred in the Keren sector yesterday, both Air Forces participating. Italian planes machine-gunned mechanised units in North Africa. A submarine sank the merchantman Urla. RAIDS ON BRIITAIN VERY LITTLE DAMAGE HEAVY GUNFIRE HEARD (United Press Assn.—Elec. Tel. Copyright) LONDON, Feb. 6 Enemy air activity over Britain last night (Wednesday) was on a small scale. During the early part of the night bombs were dropped in the east and south-east of England and in the London area. The number of casualties reported is small and the damage is not heavy. Warning sirens sounded in London early in the evening, and heavy gunfire was heard, says a British official wireless message. The raids over London were intermittent, but incendiary bombs and high explosives were dropped in a number of districts on the outskirts of the city. Two high-explosive bombs in one area damaged houses, the majority of the occupants of which had gone to a shelter, but there were about a dozen casualties. Waves of raiders passed over a south-east coast town. Twenty incendiary bombs were dropped. A fire was caused in a hotel, but was quickly brought under control. A Ministry of Home Security communique dealing with today’s enemy air activity over Britain, states: “ There is nothing to report.”

IMPORTS OF FUEL RESTRICTION IN AUSTRALIA MIXTURES WITH PETROL (United Press Assn.—Elec. Tel. Copyright) (Received Feb. 7, 3.15 p.m.) SYDNEY, Feb. 7 The State Government has decided to introduce legislation requiring petrol distributors to mix benzol or power alcohol with petrol, in order to reduce the imports of fuel supplies. It is estimated that the production of benzol and power alcohol in Australia could be raised to 8,000,000 gallons a year. The compulsory mixing of benzol and power alcohol with petrol has operated successfully in Queensland for ten years. BRITISH AGRICULTURE BIG EXPANSION SCHEME MUCH LAND UNDER PLOUGH (United Press Assn.—Elec. Tel. Copyright) LONDON, Feb. 5 “We have plo’ugheci between 3,000,000 and 4,000,000 acres,” said the Minister of Agriculture, Mr Robert Hudson, speaking in London. "We are tackling drainage of which literally millions of British acres were sorely in need. That has been the responsibility of the farmer and of the county war committees. We are now hopeful that we may even repair the neglect of 20 years in 12 months. “In this we have been helped by modern machinery- There are at the moment some 80.000 tractors at work on the land. At the beginning of the last war there were probably none. “We will have ploughed by this spring at least as much additional •and as at the agricultural peak of the last war. We shall continue to plough and to progress.”