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This newspaper page contains 18 articles. Subscribers can read the full text of each article.
Newspaper
Canberra Times
Location
Canberra, Australian Capital Territory, Australia
Date
May 03, 1940
Page
4
Marine insurance rates have surged across routes from London to Australasia New Zealand and the Far East via the Mediterranean. War risk premiums now range from 1 percent to 50 shillings or 60 shillings, with Mediterranean and Biloc sectors showing notable increases.
A NSW wartime debate features accusations against the Labour Party for tolerating Communists. Ministers Cameron and Beasley clash with critics over party loyalty and internal management while calls arise to purge fascist elements and reinforce a united Labour stance amid national crisis.
Canberra reports barometer 29.83 inches at 3 pm and 20.83 inches earlier. Temperatures ranged from 55 degrees at 9 am to 60 degrees at 3 pm with grass minimum 40.8. Winds NW up to 39 mph at Canberra aerodrome for the 24 hours ending 2:30 pm.
Canberra forecast shows occasional rain in the day with a mainly fine spell, a cool day ahead, and a frosty night. Winds shift from south to west and remain fresh.
Vice regal guests hosted by the Governor of South Australia and Lady Barclay attended a Canberra Amateur Opera Society performance at Albert Hall. The event featured a house party at Mrs Burchell’s residence and included personal staff members and war fund appeals.
The dialogue hints at Miss Thompson as the subject of delight but reveals uncertain hints about her news. The snippet shows a playful concern with discovering whether she will marry, win a lottery, or has other life events. The text preserves a cautious, teasing tone in a historical newsroom style.
Treasurer Spender told Parliament Australia will shoulder a heavy war burden with a robust budget. Expenditure in the present year tops 79 million pounds with overseas costs pushing near 400 million in two years. The government aims for flexible plans, avoids imprudent strain, and seeks fair taxation to support war needs.
The Australian House moved resolutions to implement a new sales tax of one penny in the shilling with a rate of 1 3 percent effective today. Treasurer Mr Spender explained the rise as war expenditure driven and outlined exemptions and impacts on contracts, government sales, and main commodity groups before the committee reported progress.
The article reports Allied British and French forces defending southern Norway with strategic reinforcements near Trondheim and Narvik while considering risks of German linkups. It notes debates on evacuation policy, Mediterranean shipping diversions, and Italy's stance, plus Germanys synthetic rubber Buna prospects and Allied rubber access aiding dollar exchanges.
The Minister for Customs announced a one month extension for licences covering goods in category 6 of the import restrictions schedule. Export and import measures are preserved, with extensions affecting debits against importers’ allocations in other categories and reflecting compliance issues.
Official figures show Turkish imports from Germany drop from 51 to 24 percent in the first quarter of 1940, while imports from Britain and France rise to 13 percent. Exports to Germany fall from 37 to an unspecified percent, with exports to Britain and France increasing to 26 percent.
Paris reports Mr. Duff-Cooper stating during a lecture that if Germany defeats the Allies America must defend Canada from Germany and Australia from Japan. He urged U S duty to ensure Germany's defeat to avoid a hopeless position for the United States.
German troop movements observed along the frontier toward Hamburg and Dresden. Swedish press notes shipping and motor activity at Memel and East Prussian ports, indicating heightened wartime activity in Baltic areas.
In informed circles the 51 000 ton Italia liner Rex departs Genoa for New York and sparks debate that if Italy plans war against the Alps she would avoid risking its largest mercantile vessels by seizure.
An analysis notes Germany’s rubber use surged during the war, rising from 29,000 to about 108,000 metric tons annually in peacetime demand. Sources include 53,000 tons from Britain, 35,400 from Dutch possessions, and nearly 5,000 from France.
The Danlah tanker Anzio Maerst was seized by the Prime Court for Daulah Government use. Officials say the vessel will be operated by allied authorities after unloading in Australian ports. If wartime chartered, it may run between Nauru and Australia for the Phosphate Commission.
Australia moves to dismiss two employees from a wealth munitions establishment for suspected Communist propaganda and loud discussions. Minister Sir Frederick Stewart cited safety risks and refused to name the men, stressing no overt acts were alleged but loyalty to the war effort is paramount. Mr Corser urged caution to keep domestic actions from international implications.
Government outlines wartime finance plan to fund defence through loans and taxation. Emphasizes controls on imports and exports, export lead recovery, and shifting emphasis from private to public spending. Predicts higher employment, improved bank liquidity, and careful borrowing aligned with defence needs. May extend loan payment periods to ease current earners.
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