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Newspaper
Canberra Times
Location
Canberra, Australian Capital Territory, Australia
Date
Aug 26, 1940
Page
2
A Rumian air crash occurred in Western Rumania during a hill storm. The pilot attempted to land amid rough sea forming conditions on the wings. High-ranking officials including the Minister for Propaganda and the Tourist Director were reportedly aboard.
News in brief reports Britain’s wool import deal with South Africa and the Malaya security economy, plus an Australia New Zealand line. A Senate naval affairs demand seeks a Stimson briefing on wartime mobilization and defense.
Barometer readings show 30 23 inches in the afternoon. Temperature near 80 degrees at 3 p.m. Values suggest a mild day with a high around 71 hours to 3 p.m. Overnight minimum around 27 degrees on grass with light wind.
Fragmented notes indicate a preliminary financial statement related to juvenile competitions at an Eisteddfod. The text is garbled with unclear percentages and missing details, but references a society and operational figures for costs or funding.
The piece argues that Australian unity requires centralizing primary production oversight under a Director-General of Production. It condemns State fragmentation through multiple departments and marketing boards, noting the Australian Agricultural Council as contributing to delay. It urges rational national control beyond state compartments.
In Bombay on Sunday Mahatma Gandhi commented on arrests of Congress leaders for sedition saying the government was inviting Congress to begin a civil disobedience campaign.
Acting Health Minister Mr. Primrose said plans under review to address Australia’s doctor shortage. They consider recalling retired practitioners and shortening the University medical course. He added little hope for registering refugee doctors.
A large group of 848 Hongkong evacuees arrived in Australia as ships berthed in Sydney and Brisbane. Thirty two women and children went to Brisbane while 178 reached Sydney and 136 were bound for Melbourne. Most are wives of civil servants and businessmen, with over 100 accompanying children aged 14 to a few months.
Police were reinforced to quell a disturbance on Flinders Street last night involving 200 soldiers and many civilians. Provo st corps assisted authorities in restoring order.
London reports The Times argues fighter aircraft are crucial in defending against bombers and may indicate the war’s second phase will be small raiding offensives. It notes the third and fourth phases could bring new dangers and possible coast battery threats.
In Sydney the Lang Electorate Council endorsed B S Stevens and H J Gaiman to contest the Lang seat if the UAP convention tomorrow endorses the multiple principle. Stevens said Labour’s best men should join the new Government while opposing Labour. In Adelaide Labour says discord in government ranks grows, with Curtin planning a policy speech anchored by wartime realities.
Victoria crosses in London include two army officers raising total V C winners to nine this war. 2nd Lieutenant R W Annand of the Durham Light Infantry single handedly repulsed a German party on May 15, withdrew his platoon, then rescued his wounded corporal and carried him in a wheelbarrow until he revived. Sergeant Major G Griatocski at the River Ecaut on May 21 destroyed a German machine gun post and died.
Prime Minister Mr. Menzies announced increasing Bren gun production across Australia. He cited 200 000 workers making gun parts, private firms supplying tools, and factory work in Victoria NSW Queensland South Australia and Tasmania supporting munitions for the war.
A London issue notes a Japanese supplement to aid Britain Japan ties and trade. It profiles 38 Japanese leaders including Premier Komoye and Kanji Kodama, stressing statistics and overall trade health amid global low markets and tariff barriers affecting Australia and Canada.
President Roosevelt held a cabinet session amid reports of a possible U.S. lease of British bases and transfer of munitions to Britain. Ambassadors warn the danger from German air power remains, while officials await General Strang’s report. Roosevelt pushes conscription and a 1,200,000 strong army. Senate backs mobilising 305,000 National Guard. New Zealand defence links praised as United States seeks pacific peace with Britain.
Tokyo reports the cabinet will send Minister for Commerce Kobayashi as envoy to the Dutch East Indies replacing Horag. Horghine acts as commerce minister in Kobayashi’s absence. A delegation in Bandoeng discusses oil supply and related negotiations.
Minister for the Interior Senator Fall outlines plans to evacuate 5009 children monthly to the Dominions with about 30000 homes offered by Australia and other parts of the Empire. The first shipment of 479 children to Australia includes youngsters from England Scotland Wales and other colonies.
Survivors of the Arandora Star, torpedoed by a German U boat on June 2, owe many lives to the Canadian destroyer St Laurent which rushed to the scene off Scotland. A Sunderland flying boat guided the rescue, with 85 survivors embarked after a difficult long search through wreckage.
Canberra air disaster inquiry to begin in Melbourne on Tuesday with Mr Justice Lowe of the Victorian Supreme Court to preside. He plans to start hearings in Canberra Thursday after Melbourne evidence is dealt with and hopes to conclude by week’s end. Minister for Air Mr Facklen advocates a thorough investigation.
Mr A S Watt has been named Free Secretary to the Australian Legation in Washington and will depart Australia within a fortnight. He will perform Counsellor duties while acting as First Secretary, with Keith Officer moving to Tokyo to become Counsellor. The move may trigger a re shuffle in Canberra's External Affairs Department.
In Lisbon a group of Dutch airmen gathered seeking visas to travel to London for RAF enlistment. One man questioned why the mission mattered, while others noted the aim to join the fight against Germany after invasion of the Low Countries.
The article surveys Italian aims in Greece amid reports of an ultimatum while official sources deny moves and Greek mobilization remains limited. Analysts debate whether Italy seeks a bloodless victory via psychological pressure or a broader strike in the Eastern Mediterranean, with options including Crete or pressuring Greece to allow bases.
Sixteen Los Angeles business men civil aviation officials and Pan American directors aboard a clipper left San Francisco bound for New Zealand. They may land in Sydney or Auckland before heading to Darwin while a earlier party heads to Singapore. The visitors toured Australian sites and were hosted by officials in a four day program showcasing cities and industries.
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