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THE CHINA MAIL, FEBRUARY 7, 1940

BRITISH ARMS DRIVE

Intense Effort To Further Speed Production

AGREEMENT WITH ENGINEERS' UNION

London, To-day.

CONCERNING ITSELF WITH Home affairs, the British Press yesterday commented on the Government's plans for increased arms production and the meeting be- tween the Minister of Labour and the delegates from the Amalgamated Engineering Union.

The "Daily Telegraph" comments that the Union's under- taking to help the scheme is in line with the undoubted co-operation it has already given.

The members of the Union can be regarded as the

"key-men of

the

arms Industry" and they are putting aside their rooted objection to any interference with labour in the work shops.

The "News Chronicle" says that the Union will be of the greatest value to the Govern-

ment's plan, as it is in position to give advice regarding the handling of the now Labour Army required; their presence, too, will be a guarantee that the carried out programme will be with speed and vigour. Many of the Home papers think the plan

will decrease the un- employment figures, which they think are not as good as they should be.---- Reuter.

GAS-MASK WARNING

The Director of Air Raid Precautions draws attention to the fact that appli- cation forms for respirators have now been in place at various Police Sta- tions for the last three weeks.

In order that the number of respir- ators required by the general public can be ascertained, and arrangements made for fitting, etc., it is proposed to withdraw these forms on the 1st March, 1940.

of

It is, therefore, of the utmost im- portance that anyone desiring to ob- tain a respirator under the Govern- ment scheme should either obtain a form from the Police Station or apply to the Director of Air Raid Precau- tions before the 29th February, 1940.

FATAL ACCIDENT

Cannot Be Too Extensive

(SPECIAL TO "CHINA MAIL") London, To-day. The new British arms drive, co- lossal as it is, can never be too ex- tensive, says the "News Chronicle," in view of the fact that daily reports

A fatal accident occurred in Prince from Germany announce that the Edward Road near Grampian Road at Nazis are mobilising all their indus-,'11.15 o'clock last night when an un- trial resources.

identified Chinese was knocked down Fulfilment of the Government's by a bus. The body was removed to programme would, incidentally, re-

the Kowloon Mortuary. sult in wiping out all or most un- employment--Havas.

60,000 VISITORS Over 80,000 visitors have thus far attended the exhibition of the manu- factured products of Hong Kong in- dustry at Happy Valley.

GENEROUS GIFT

Singapore, To-day.

ON THE FENCE

Melbourne, To-day, Speaking about the attitude of neutrals, the Australian Minis- ter for External Affairs, Sir Henry Gullett, said that the neu- trals recognized the justice of our cause and the rottenness of the German cause.

on

Nevertheless, history showed that neutrals wanted to be the winning side, and, therefore, we must establish that we are the ultimate winners before we can expect the more powerful neu- trals to join us.-Reuter,

REPRIEVE AGAIN REFUSED

London, To-day.

The Eire High Commission- er, Mr. John Dulanty, called on Mr. Chamberlain at 10, Downing Street last night in connection with last-minute efforts to secure a reprieve of the condemned I.R.A. men.

The visit has not changed the Bri- tish Government's attitude, says Reu- ter's lobby correspondent.

The I.R.A. men were sentenced to death in connection with the Coventry

ULSTER'S WAR EFFORT bomb outrage. Reuter.

Belfast, To-day.

Northern Ireland's contribution to war food problems was the subject of a broadcast by the Premier.

-

Special Guards On Birmingham Prison

During yesterday

He said that a quarter of a million additional acres were being ploughed, and Northern Ireland intended to in-evening the crease its output of flax.-Reuter.

NO SHIPS TO MACAO TO-MORROW

sus-

Shipping traffic between Hong Kong and Macao will be completely pended to-morrow, Chinese New Year Day, when no boats will ply between

the two Colonies.

The normal services will be sumed on Friday.

MERCHANT SERVICE

re-

London, To-day.

afternoon and

special police guards around Birmingham Prison were doubled, the Reserves being specially called out, owing to fear of Republican Army outrages in nexion with the impending execution of two Irishmen.

Irish

con-

at In. Police were stationed

the tervals by yards all round prison walls, while others patrolled the streets.

Others were posted inside the prison and in the gatehouse.

Pedestrians loitering near the prison were ordered to move on.--Reuter.

COURAGE

HONOURS FOR CAPTAIN AND FIRST MATE OF TWO SHIPS

London, To-day.

A gift of £800 has been made by TWO STORIES OF coolness, courage and seamanship

Malaya the State of Brunel to the Patriotic Fund. This is a very gen- the erous gift, for

population Brunei is only 30,000 people.-Reuter.

Let this name-plate guide you

to the finest in. refrigeration. Sole Agenta DODWELL & CO., LTD.,

Alexandra Building, Telephone 28021.21

of

by British Mercantile Marine officers made front page news in last night's “London Gazette,”. which announces the award of the O.B.E. to Capt. John Steward, Master of the Hope Star, and Thomas Ward, First Mate of the Oakgrove. · The "Gazette" relates that the Hope Star, sailing alone in heavy weather, was attacked by a German submar- ine. By putting the helm hard aport the Chief Offi- cer cleared the torpedo by five yards.

Half an hour later the submarine's swell abated and the radio officer and came to the surface only periscope was sighted and later a se-fireman cond torpedo was fired, which clear-slightly injured, but the captain was ed the ship's stern by less than fathom.

The Hope Star fired at the periscope and the Master hoisted flag signals to suggest that a warship had been sighted.

a A third torpedo passed within

then the fathom of the ship and enemy's conning-tower emerged and shell the Hope Star fired at it, one nearly hitting, and the submarine dived quickly.

SMOKESCREEN ESCAPE

never seen again.

The First Mate, in one of the ship's boats, set sail 20 miles for land, steer- ing the boat throughout a six-hour passage though he was numb with cold.

The Second Mate, though he had no sailing experience, followed the First Mate's lead. In the other bost, and both reached land safely;

"In an unarmed ship, too slow to be handled in her own defence, the First Mate shepherded his crew with such On the approach of dusk the Mas-courage, skill and coolness that the ter made a smoke screen and zigzagged into it.

"The Hope Star was saved from the long relentless attack by the courage, judgment and seamanship of her Mas- ter and the ready skill of her gunner," the Gazette concludes.

DAKGROVE DRAMA Relating the sinking of the Oakgrove by, enemy aircraft, the “Gazette" tells how at the ship went down the Cap- tain, radio officer and a freman were sucked down by the whirlpool, 25

When the vessel

"bottom the

|

enemy

intense fire of two powerful aircraft at point-blank range caused. them no hurt," says the "Gazette."- Reuter.

SIX GERMANS TAKEN 'OFF SHIP

Capetown, To-day. Six Germans were landed here yesterday under military guardia

They were taken on the Portuguese liner. Nyssia: by a British -Lawarship off the South African Coast:==Reuter.

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