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Newspaper
Canberra Times
Location
Canberra, Australian Capital Territory, Australia
Date
Jul 17, 1941
Page
2
Commonwealth officials prepare a report for the Loan Council meeting urging curtailment of proposed works. The document will rank projects by priority and be used by the Treasurer Mr Fadden. Sir Harry Brown chairs the General of Works inquiry into the program.
General Ho reports China expanded from 1.7 million to about 5.8 million regulars with 800000 guerrillas and 10000000 reserves. Japan used up to 35 divisions in 1940, then 12 in 1941, but gains faded as China’s forces modernized. Since 1939 there were nine major battles with China winning six, including Nanpang Ichang and Chunting mountains.
A London report cites The Times criticizing a plan to discontinue regular shipping loss publications. The public may distrust figures published after the period ends, and the disclosure could aid enemy propaganda. Authorities argue the policy impacts wartime credibility and Allied understanding.
Military authorities in Melbourne consider drastic changes to militia training to boost Australia’s rapid mobilisation capacity. A large portion of militia officers and NCOs could be called up for full time service. Proposals include extending active duty and continuous training for up to a month.
His excellency the Governor-General at Admiralty House Sydney awarded the Royal Navy officer the insignia of an office with the British Empire order and the Imperial Service Medal to Mr Richard Thomas Badgar as part of a formal morning ceremony. Also present were Prime Minister Billy Hughes and Lord Gowrie receiving Sir Monro Cross on his new post as UK High Commissioner in Australia.
Revenue for the year ended June 30 totaled £67,780,005, up £4,519,625 from the prior year. Expenditure rose by £5,895. Waray revenue for the year stood at $28,737,708.
Scattered showers mainly on the tablelands with snow on the peaks. Cool to moderate day with foggy night and a southwest to southeast breeze. The text also includes a patriotic poem line praising resistance and future good.
The piece argues the Syrian campaign, while not a decisive win, removes a Middle East distraction and clears the stage for the next war phase. It notes Tobruk, Crete, Iraq revolt, East Africa, and the need to purge North Africa of Germans, with Britain preparing shifts toward Cyrenaica and broader aims across the Mediterranean, Black, and Caspian regions.
The Acting Commonwealth Statistician Mr. Carver said May permits for new dwellings across the six capital cities totalled about £2,089,000. Melbourne led with 751 approvals costing £867,488. January–May figures show 2999 Melbourne dwellings approved at £3,278,146, with June data pending.
Mr M K McCarthy has taken over duties as Acting Commonwealth Prices Commissioner during Professor Copland's absence. He vows no changes to Copland’s price system and brings experience as former Tariff Board secretary with broad knowledge of Australian industry aiding the price branch.
Barometer at 9 am reads 2019 inches. Temperature at 3 am 413 degrees with unclear readings. Max temperature for 24 hours ends at 32 degrees, minimum around 38.8 degrees. Range includes 48 degrees. Maximum wind velocity 17 mph at 235 pm.
Sydney reports the Federation Ironworkers Union official says genuine government cooperation is needed not for election gains. He comments on calls for adopting Russian methods, arguing nationalized industry would remove wartime profits and prevent future trouble if BHP and other combines are nationalized.
An Italian and German air raid on Tobruk scored direct hits on batteries and raids occurred over Cyrenaica. Colonial troops from Woothelil attacked Indian units, and Wooichefit garrison forces routed enemy lines. AP correspondent inside Tobruk quotes General Morehead asking the world to see their resolve as Allied troops hold Tobruk against German Panzer divisions.
Canberra Hospital's Dr L W Nott telegrams Prime Minister Menzies seeking early consent to send a fully equipped ambulance to aid the Red Army. He has 80 supporters by yesterday's mail and nearly 600 letters since the plan was announced. Well-wishers across Australia, over 50 percent wishing to travel with the unit, await permission to proceed toward Russia.
Defence Department issue explains enrollment rules for men born 1915 to 1920 who were unmarried or widowed with no children on specific dates. August enrollment required if not yet enrolled, with exemptions for those in service or temporarily absent. Penalties include £20 fine or three months imprisonment. Applies to all within the defined classes regardless of current location.
Sir Evelyn Wrench founder of the Overseas League and editor of the Spectator arrived in Sydney with his wife for a six week Australian stay. He urged Australia to reach 20 million and New Zealand 7 million and warned the north west must be populated to defend it against other races. He cited rising Japanese population and urged drastic immigration to defend Australia.
Members of the Motor Traders Association pressed the Liquid Fuel Control Board chairman Mr Neale for an advisory committee in country centers to review petrol allowances and to give more weight to primary producers. Rural industry was said to be disorganized as country people were treated like city residents. The Minister for Supply Senator McLesy announced petrol rationing begins August 1 at 12,900,000 gallons monthly and vowed to address anomalies and increase supplies to primary producers if needed. He noted aviation spirit position is good. A Sydney consultant urged the government to reject Shell claims of refinery cartel protection and warned of a possible oil monopoly. Building more tankers was urged to bolster supplies, and Independent Oil Industries criticized margin terms, offering to sell to the government at a penny a gallon profit.
Sir Ronald Crose arrives in Sydney to take up the post of British High Commissioner in Australia with Lady Crowe and three daughters. He dismisses fears that British industrial interests block shipping and says no anticipated increase in Australia’s shipping quantity.
A British Programme speaker urged Australia and Empire members to provide ships as domestic and US shipyards catch up. He warned British trade volume would fall for a considerable period, possibly into next year, unless Australia and others supply sufficient vessels. He noted there is no aristocracy in Britain.
Canberra households will soon receive official house numbers under a Department of the Interior scheme. When funds permit, letter boxes bearing the house number will be leased. before issuance, residents will be circularised about their assigned numbers amid difficulties from vacant blocks and potential future street extensions.
The Commonwealth Government expects the factory census to aid wartime industry planning. Nearly 170 factories are covered, employing about 900,000 hands. Employer response is prompt and the simple questionnaire reduces errors and misunderstandings.
Sydney voters in rural districts will ballot September 10 to decide if the entire state should come under the Eye Marketing Board as the poultry farmers seek unified price and marketing control. Local farmers outside the board area participate in the decision, which could reshape state marketing policy.
The Journal of Commerce reports 14 Danish ships have been acquired by the Maritime Commission under the Ship Requisition Act. They will be assigned to support the Army in Greenland and Iceland and to transport strategic materials from the Far East and Australia.
Northern Queensland residents fear heavy enlistments undermine British balance of power while defence works lag. Reps to Prime Minister Menzies cited by Federated Chambers of Commerce President Q Groom. Taxation cuts on capital, minimal defence spending, and new development threaten White Australia policy amid Cairns enlistments far exceeding prior expectations.
The Department of the Interior plans hedge planting in Canberra suburbs opened in the last two months. Work should begin soon, funds pending to cover all hedges. Replanting in Turner and other new divisions will start in the current season once funds are available. An officer stated the department intends not to miss the planting season.
Report from Sydney says two Japanese vessels bound for Australian ports have had their sailings cancelled. One 10,000 ton liner and a regular service freighter were affected with no explanation given. It is believed Japan has imposed temporary restrictions delaying ships from Japanese ports.
The Air Ministry said Bomber Command attacked Dulaburg and other Ruhr area targets with excellent results despite bad weather. Fighter Command conducted reconnaissance and attacked northern France aerodromes. Three bombers were reported missing. From June 1 to July 7 Flak dropped about 2000 tons on the Ruhr, nearly 1000 on Cologne, and over a thousand on Bremen, while a direct hit hit the Prinz Eugen during Brest operations.
Improvements in Hand Work have begun at Canberra Technical College with a new dining room. Construction should finish within three weeks. Workmen excavate a new road to the main office as part of grounds beautification for Ci lowe, and an unsightly feature is being removed.
The report analyzes March shipping losses totaling 450 279 tons, compares with the previous month and January, and notes Britain’s growing confidence from Allied counter measures. It highlights American patrols expanding in the Atlantic, improved spotting of raiders, and the need for continued dedication as the Battle for the Atlantic persists.
Commonwealth Treasurer Mr. Fadden said Western Australia and other states were notified in January about a plan to temporarily standardize taxation during the war. The aim is to reduce interstate disparities and spread the tax burden nationwide, while preserving state rights. WA initially rejected the memorandum, with other states co operating.
In Sydney on Wednesday Dr Burgmann drew fire for a chess jibe aimed at the Metropolitan Water Board. He suggested Sydney should seek enlightenment to fix water mains rather than pray for rain. Mr Movertey backed the board’s engineering staff while President Mr Upton condemned the flippant remark about Archbishop Mowl’s prayer for law.
An Air Ministry communique says a small number of enemy planes were over the coasts of England last night. No damage or casualties are detailed, with no further specifics provided about locations or targets.
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