1940-06-28 — Page 6

THE CHINA MAIL, JUNE 28, 1940

Eloquent Commentary on Pre-Churchill Organisation BRITAIN'S BOOST

IN ARMS

ARMS PRODUCTION

Hundred Per Cent.

Increase In Tanki Output

London, To-day.

SOME IDEA OF THE WAY in which Britain's munitions output has increased in the last two months was given in the House of Commons yesterday by Mr. Herbert Morrison, Minister of Supply. He could not, of course, give the actual figures, but he gave some percentages showing the increases in the April-June period.

In that time, the output of cruiser and infantry tanks had increased by 115 per cent., Bren gun carriers by 64 per cent. and guns from 50 per cent. in the case of two items to 288 per cent. in the case of another.

Small arms increased by from 491 As an example of the new spirit the about, he men- per cent. to

186 per cent: and am-drive is bringing

munition by from 49 per cent. to 186 tioned that only a week ago he gave orders for very large quantities of a

per cent.

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SECRET STATEMENT ON WAR POSITION

London, To-day. Reuter's lobby correspondent says it le belleved that according the to present arrangements Prime Minister will be unable to make a further statement on the war before Thursday next week. It is thought likely the whole pro- ceedings will be secret.--Reuter.

certain item, for millions of them.

Production

was already almost 260,000 a week, four or five times the previous output, and that figure will grow. These facts are encouraging, al- though the last thing he wished the House and country to that they are satisfactory. They are not, but they are coming nearer and nearer to "satisfactory" as the days

pass.

believe was

Fine Cooperation

He himself did not claim the credit. That was due to the organisation of the Ministry of Supply and the fine co-operation of the Trade Unions and industry.

and conduct during air-raids, which were a bad strain on them.-Reuter.

Running Concern

he

Mr. Morrison emphasised that took over a running concern and it was not for him to say whether the lay-out of the department was right or wrong, but it was not his lay out. Moreover, there were decisions in policy which vitally affected supply,

Mr. Morrison did not claim credit pro- for this "encouraging spurt in duction during these critical weeks," the which was due to the spurt at Ministry and particularly to the fine response made by the working peo- ple to the appeals of Ministers.

Fundamental changes in produc- both tion had been carried through

The

ever.

re-

definitely

onc

in regard to machine tools and tanks. was that The truth about tanks

clarification of there had been no

wanted. what tanks had been argument could not go on for Now it had been arranged for quirements to be notified with all possible speed through focal point. In the meantime they greatest were concentrating on the possible output of those tanks which had proved to be satisfactory without worrying about over-elaboration design-frills and fancy pieces were not vital.

of that

Machine Tools Some machine tool production had per cent. Eighty annum increased by 50

per thousand machine tools

all were being made available from They were mainly concerned with

sources. A total of £3,000,000 worth for the output of those items which had

of machine tools ordered by us proved satisfactory. If a gun

and shot

France from the United States accurately, that was what they Canada would be diverted to us. wanted and the nice little touches The raw material position did not matter.

broadly satisfactory. Very big orders

America felt the Ministry should be had been placed in strengthened in some directions and, elsewhere for raw material. therefore, was bringing in reinforce-better to have too much than risk too ments from outside. A committee was studying unused capacity.

He

Mr. Lloyd George's Aid

a

They must not live in the last war, he warned although he had had lot of help from those with experi- ence of that war, notably Mr. Lloyd George. But there was a little too much of the assumption that this was like the last war. It was very dif- ferent.

to

They were concentrating parti- cularly on Immediate production but were not going to forget the long view. They had to look ahead when conditions changed and must have long term policies, offensive as well as defensive policies.

more

little.

was

and It was

"We must face possible siege con-

ditions," he declared.

Requirements from

into two classes.

America fell

requirements

"Urgent immediate are being bought in many cases from stocks, including field glasses, Thom- son guns, magazines and ammunition, together with rifles and machineguns. are "For our long-term needs we

suitable obtaining wherever we can existing weapons in America with all possible speed. I have to thank the American authorities for their ready co-operation in that matter.

Long Term Programme

very large

"We shall need also The sole consideration will be pro-requirements in respect of machine duction. If firms are efficient, con- tools and in connexion, with the tank fident and public spirited and the and gun programme.

freedom good, management would be given and there" would be -less-need-for-red-tape-but if they play the fool with public interest or are inefficient, he will come down on them hard.

the

"These are being dealt with by the purchasing commission in America, a having ap- highly equipped body propriate contacts in the United States- and acting in conjunction with Government of the United States.

"We must proceed to a long-term programme in the United States which He mentioned the case of one firm means there must be co-operation with producing small arms-ammunition. He our purchasing commission for cer- sent over an expert from another firm | tain necessary adaptations of Amerl- and already the output had multiplied can industry.” considerably. In another case,

Expert Change

the For the next few months his Minis- management was changed and the out-try would concentrate quite proper- aly on immediate production but they put increased by 35 per cent in

were not forgetting the longer view month.

so that they were prepared for offen- sive as well as defensive action.

Morrison's Immediately after Mr.

secret speech the House went into session. Reuter.

The already large orders for raw the materials from” America and Empire were being Increased,

for

It was better to have too much than too little, and they must face the contingency of poselble alege con- ditions.

Orders worth £5,000,000 had been placed in Canada In the last few weeks. Australia was sending small arms ammunition, revolvers and fuses, and the, surplus capacity of In- dia had been taken up.

PETAIN GOVERNMENT TO MOVE (SPECIAL TO "CHINA. MAIL") .

London, To-day. Authoritative British circles report that the French Government - will He concluded with a word for the shortly move from Bordeaux to Cler- factory workers for their fine moralemont Ferrand.--Havas.