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Newspaper
Canberra Times
Location
Canberra, Australian Capital Territory, Australia
Date
Dec 25, 1939
Page
2
The Canberra Times issues strict ad rules and deadlines for national and Canberra notices. Advertisers must submit copy by 3 pm the day before publication, write all copy in ink, and ensure proper names and figures are accurate.
Readable fragments report temperatures and barometer readings for Canberra and nearby NSW locations. Data include 9 am and 3 pm measurements with highs around the 70s and lows in the 40s, plus multiple barometer readings in inches of mercury.
Their Excellencies the Governor-General and Lady Gowrie attended Divine Service at St. John the Baptist Church in Canberra yesterday morning, escorted by Brigadier-General A. T. Anderson. Mr. Bennett of Canberra will defend the singles championship at the Permaguitenda meeting to be held at a South Coast seaside resort this week.
Canberra Christmas custom grows among metropolitan correspondents. This year the Christians' rite is linked to a newspaper poll of Canberra dwellers staying in the capital, with most staying and a small portion traveling away for the holiday.
The author reflects on a year filled with war and upheaval, noting fragile peace in name but renewed resolve for building lasting calm. Despite grim prospects and suffering, the piece emphasizes personal goodwill and the Christmas spirit as a beacon through looming dark days.
London reports a senior army official says Dominions may send fewer divisions overseas due to the air grid, industrial effort, and Far East uncertainties. Mechanisation reduces front line troops but raises rear supply needs. equipment for expeditionary forces is being supplied, with Canadian and French Canadian troops noted. No South African overseas force expected.
A Japanese army spokesman says Chinese forces near Nanning suffered heavy losses and that Chinese retreat began after breakthroughs. Communications reportedly remained intact and not in danger despite advances.
London reports an eightpence per shift increase for adults and four pence for youths for blast furnace coke and ironstone workers and quarrymen. Other items include a fire aboard the steamer Windrush with 37 crew and 10 passengers, suspected sabotage. The Hague notes 8 700 000 left unsubscribed from a 18 000 000 state loan, with hints of a forced loan. Berlin reports foreign newspapers banned and a Danish German trade agreement for Inter-trade in 1940.
President Roosevelt names M. Taylor as personal representative at the Vatican and writes to the Pope urging churches worldwide to unite with governments in guiding peace. He says faith underpins rebuilding nations and seeks cooperation for a well ordered peace rather than a new war end.
The Commonwealth and United Kingdom entered agreements for the first year of the war valued at £490,740,000 for products, with wheat and other commodities bringing the total to about £101,000,000. Sir Beathy Gullett announced in a wireless broadcast that markets would be sought beyond Britain.
The Labour Party leader John Curtin delivers a grim 1949 Christmas message marking wartime burdens, debt, malnutrition, and social reform setbacks. He warns of uncertainty for 1940, calls for decisive policy to support war effort, and hopes for peace and human brotherhood in the new year.
The British submarine Ursula reached a patrol area amid minefields and approached Heligoland on December 14. It sighted a Koenigsberg class cruiser guarded by six destroyers, fired two direct hits, and withstood depth-charge attacks as it escaped. Commander Spurgeon awarded DSO for anti-submarine action. A French steamer saved six survivors from a prior English vessel. Deutschland returns to Germany. Wellersley bombers rate high in the aerial battle.
South Africa offers technical aid to Finland by releasing a warplane under construction for the Union. Washington talks on a 10 million pound loan for Finland. German planes en route to Finland reportedly returned to Italy. Finnish counterattacks push Russians back on multiple fronts while Leningrad reports slow progress. A Finnish raid hits the village hosting the Puppet Government and its 300 Communist officials.
The treasurer lists the League of Nations contributions for 1960 from India Canada Australia South Africa New Zealand and other areas. Totals reach £870,000 with amounts: India £77000 Canada £52500 Australia £94500 South Africa £23000 New Zealand £12000 and Ireland £15000.
On Saturday Uruguayan Foreign Minister Senor Guan postponed action on the German supply ship Tacoma. Earlier statements said it would be interned. The Tacoma remains detained and guarded, with final decision deferred until after Christmas.
Despite German opposition Yugoslavia signs a 4 percent trade agreement with France in Belgrade. The pact aims to exchange primary products for machinery, seen as a heavy economic blow to Germany.
A humorous courtroom tableau set at 11 30 p m as twelve drunkenness defendants are fined or warned before Christmas Day. The Mag is trate and Clerk of the Court supervise the last moments of the night as the clock ticks toward the holiday. The scene ends with a Merry Christmas wish and the court closing.
The Indian Nationalist Party directs Congress legislators in Allahabad to skip attendance at the forthcoming Central Travancore Legislative session this Saturday as part of a boycott strategy.
Reports detail a December 14 air clash over Wilhelmshaven with 80 401 aircraft engaged. A British aircraft was shot down while another, pursued over the sea, returned safely. German forces reinforced Heligoland Bight on December 18 and clashed with British formations as heavy losses mounted on both sides.
The King awarded the Military Order of the British Empire to Commander Richard Frank Jolly who was mortally wounded by a Nazi plane yet steered a Hawhawk to 135 miles away in minutes and died five minutes later. Lt Commander John Quarry and Roger Lewis received the Distinguished Service Order for bold respect and mine clearance under fire.
After a week of flames the scuttled Graf Spee in Montevideo’s outer harbour has burned out. Only yesterday did flames and smoke issue from the hull as Uruguayans hold the interned officers and crew. Germany demands their release.
Bennell is named holder of the welterweight title though many consider Westbury a claimant. Bennell won the title from Terry Reilly of Victoria around Cup time 1938. Reilly reportedly earned the championship after Jack Ills retirement early in 1938.
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