1941-03-11 — Page 41

THE CHINA MAIL, MARCH 11, 1941.

ADMIRAL SIR ANDREW CUNNINGHAM READY FOR DIVE-BOMBERS

(By Solon Gregoriades, International News Correspondent, Somewhere at Sea in the Mediterranean)

(SPECIAL TO "CHINA MAIL”)

ADMIRAL SIR ANDREW CUNNINGHÁM, COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF OF THE MEDITERRANEAN FLEET, TOLD ME IN AN EXCLUSIVE IN- TERVIEW YESTERDAY THAT BRITISH ’PLANES AND BRITISH GUNS WILL DRIVE THE LUFTWAFFE OUT OF THE MEDITERRANEAN AS THEY IMMOBILISED THE ITALIAN AIR FORCE MONTHS AGO.

IMMIGRATION OFFICE INQUIRY

(Continued from Page 8)

Received by the Admiral on board his flagship at a secret spot, I asked whether the German air force, once in action, might neu- tralise the Fleet's power.

"At the beginning of the war," Admiral Cunningham replied, "Italian aviation de- to ascertain a 100 per cent coller-veloped intense activity against our Navy.

As regards the deposit receipts. Now it is Germany's turn.

tion.

he found books and deposit 14:- ceipt: duplicated and in one case the same number had been issued money changer over the Chinese As a result, it was New Year holidays when the Trea- three times' impossible to check the existing sury was not at work. Mr. Pudney records or to ask an auditor to said he had increased his imprest. check. The only course open was

Mr Pudney said that he did not to go back and rewrite the whole notice that Mr. Forrest was in the accounts. He suggested the busi-habit of noting on each voucher ness of operation be suspended for the time of day. Mr. Forrest stai- a while tiil the accounts were ined that on November 11 he had one shroff who had been transferred from the Passport Department and who was not able to do that form

order.

As

the regards

Immigration

Offices at Taipo, witness was still

without

regarding information the institution of financial con- trol and the safe custody of pub- lic money there.

said

Referring to રા sum of $20.255 Office paid by the Immigration into the Treasury, witness that the Immigration Officer fail- ed to indicate the number of re- ceipts this sum covered and there were "unexplained gaps" in the serial numbers.

Witness Questioned

i

In reply to the chairman, Mr. Pudney explained the system. of accounts and, in answer to a fur- ther question, said that in all de- partments. persons handling money were required to give security deposit to guard against any irregularities. It was one of The conditions preceding appoint- ment in the Government and he had known of no case of an up- pointment in the Treasury with- out such security. Each shroff em- ployed in the Treasury was secur- ed, In the case of a General Agency, he would insist on a sub- stantial amount.

There was a big rush following the Chinese New Year and the pressure of work was responsib'•. as also the lack of organisation, for the state of affairs.

He had seen the General Agency agreement and had been told by the Immigration Officer that for smooth running it was essential.

Mr. Forrest produced some pho- tographs. Mr. Pudney agreed that they represented a fair state of his department during a rush hour:

Mr. Pudney would not express an opinion as to whether the fur- niture was adequate.

first

Mr. Forrest:' "On your visit you objected to the position of the shroff. Mr. Barton lent me

a desk."

Mr. Pudney: "Yes."

Shroffs' Training

Mr. Forrest said that his shroff's had less training than those of other departments.

Mr. Pudney said they had two or three weeks' training in the Treasury.

Mr. Forrest asked if he con- sidered an Agency working for the public and facilitating the obtaining of a permit, as receiving money on behalf of the Govern ment.

Mr. Pudney said he would consider it as ari agent of the Government.

+

Mr. Főrrest” askëd Mr. Pudney if he knew there was an extra large number of Chinese permits required about Chinese New Year, Mr. Pudney agreed.

Regarding deposits, Mr. Forrest asked Mr. Pudney if he knew he had to borrow money from a

of work.

Mr. Pudney agreed that arti ficial light had to be used in bla office. The forged note men- tioned was of a dark blue co- lour. With the exception of one shroff the remainder

did not have much experience.

"There is no doubt that Ger- is far superior to man aviation that of Italy. At the beginning the Germans operated against us in the Straits of Sicily with re- suits well known.

"At the beginning our Navy did not

ail possess

defence weapons and was taken by sur- price. This will never happen again.

"I have no doubt that the

Mediteranean will soon be clear- cd of Germans just as it was of Italians.

"WE HAVE LEARNED HOW TO' COUNTERACT ITALIAN

AVIATION. SINTE DECEM- BER LAST IT CAN BE SAID ITALIAN WARPLANES THAT HAVE NOT ENGAGED OUR

NEWS SERVICE,

The agreement for the Macao SHIPS" — INTERNATIONAL office was made by Mr. Pudney in a general way.

Mr. A. J. C. Taylor had been transferred to the Immigration Department but had not been spe- clally assigned for such work.

Mr. Forrest asked Mr. Pudney

"(THINKS)

it he knew that his "secretary" was doing other than secretarial work and Mr. Pudney agreed that the word Secretary was not properly used.