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Newspaper
Canberra Times
Location
Canberra, Australian Capital Territory, Australia
Date
May 10, 1941
Page
2
The War Cabinet decided last night to appoint a General Officer Commanding all military forces in Australia. Major-General H. D. Wynter’s name was prominently mentioned as the likely appointee. Wynter returned from abroad due to illness and is regarded as an outstanding soldier.
Melbourne reports by the Repatriation Commission outline weekly sums for widows on active service disability from £2 0s to £6 0d, plus child allowances up to £1 weekly per extra child. Benefits mirror prior war patterns, with minor variation by rank and incapacity, ending with blinded soldiers receiving higher rates and family allowances.
Canberra officials assured the Housewives Association of Victoria that the Commonwealth Prices Commissioner will maintain a close watch on bread pricing. The request for a $1 per 41b cap was noted, with bread declared a commodity and regulated with the August 30, 1833, level in Melbourne areas.
Barometer 30.16 inches at 9 am and 30.04 at 3 pm. Temperatures from 54 degrees in the morning to 57.5 degrees by 3 pm. Winds light to moderate, averaging around 5 mph morning and near 3 am. Maximum wind at 28 mph. Overall weather observations for Canberra.
Treasury officials draft 1641-42 budget proposals with new taxation schedules likely to nearly double current levies. Acting Prime Minister Mr Padden and Commonwealth Tax Commissioner Mr Jackson discuss an instalment scheme and hardship relief while ministers warn of continued heavy taxation next year to curb inflation.
An analysis of air power in the conflict notes Britain mounting a threefold air force including day fighters night fighters and bombers. It praises RAF defense and offensive expansion while acknowledging persistent German bombing and rising American air support aiding Britain's effort.
The first meeting of the Australia New Zealand Consultative Committee will occur within two weeks. New Zealand ministers Sullivan and Semple will travel to Australia to discuss defence questions with Commonwealth Ministers. Talks will cover supply shortages, Lexules, munitions orders, production methods, and Pacific strategy coordination. The meeting will be held in Melbourne and Sydney with officials from all departments.
Air Ministry reports one RAF aircraft dived from over 10000 feet to boost bomb momentum on Wednesday night raid against Scharnhorst and Gneisenau at Brest. Pilot pulled out at 2000 feet. Crews think Gneisenau was hit with heavy bombs near funnel and forepart of Scharnhorst burned. Near misses cited as risking further damage.
The Minister for Munitions Senator McBride announced the construction of a munition factory on the southern railway of New South Wales. The plant will produce gun munition components and send them to the new explosives factory near Sydney for filling and assembly. Other towns may be considered, but technical difficulties and the absence of parent works to attach annexes are noted.
The chairman of the State Liquid Fuel Control Board Mr Neale announced new restrictions starting June 1 to be enforced by postal officials. Ration ticket amounts will be reduced by a Commonwealth directed percentage and consumers should await further communication to amend their licenses. From May 26 postal clerks will recognize licenses printed on their own colored paper.
The Minister for the Interior Senator Fall said the Commonwealth Railways would carry free parcels of comforts sent from recognised organizations to military camps in the Northern Territory. Only parcels from individuals from centers with no organization would be delivered freight free.
The Commonwealth Prices Commissioner prepares to act against retailers profiteering from tobacco shortages. Reports to Canberra authorities indicate some sellers break tins of 50 cigarettes priced at 2 shillings 11 pence by offering single cigarettes for one penny, though tobacco is not a declared commodity under price regulations.
The Postmaster-General Senator McLeay warned that any radio station persisting in broadcasting coarse jokes would have air cutoffs. He cited complaints from Sydney organizations and said the matter had been taken up with the stations involved. A higher moral standard for broadcasting was urged.
Melbourne Friday casualty list for New South Wales shows killed in action charges including Pte W J H Porter and Lieu J Frangway with many other listed personnel. Prisoner of war and wounded in action entries include G W Culler and C Hawtree among others.
The Department of the Interior proceeds with a new quarry on Black Mountain. Only preliminary work now, not expected to operate for at least six months. The quarry will supply road metal and concrete metal.
The Central Executive of the Miners Federation assured Commonwealth Board of Control chair Justice Davidson that coal would be produced and supplied in sufficient quantities to meet industrial needs during the war.
Concrete Constructions Lt the contractors expect to finish their work on the King George V memorial within five weeks. Men are laying concrete paving at the memorial base while the statue of St. George on 41 charger has been erected, drawing mixed reactions from observers. An architect praised the figure but criticized the charger, noting it is all head and mouth with no neck.
The Department of the Interior reverts Causeway Hall governance to resident trustees. Repairs and furnishings will be done by the department, with three trustees nominated by the Causeway Welfare Committee. New trustees are Menara, C Hiland, H Bladen, and R D Bouch.
Acting Prime Minister Fadden stated Australia will back Churchill’s pledge and boost production of vital materials. He stressed the empire’s strength rests on Britain’s Isles and the Suez region, with Libyan desert theatre key and victory to be achieved through coordinated effort from Atlantic to Middle East.
Minister for Labour Mr Holt says wide authority may be given to the Man-power Committee to place workers where they can be used most effectively. He notes the committee has done valuable work, but its powers have been limited to assessing eligibility for fighting service.
The Australian Prime Minister Mr Menzies told a Toronto press conference that North America can do more to overtake Germany's material superiority. He praised Canadian unity and enthusiasm in the war effort and noted cross party support and swift aid to Britain.
Centenary services at St John’s Church Canberra continue with a garden party at 4 pm and Holy Communion at 8 and 9 am tomorrow. Archbishop of Sydney Dr Mowll delivers an 11 am centenary message as choirs sing. Geoffrey Whiskard to lay the foundation stone for a new Canberra North church hall at 3 pm. Te Deum and Hallelujah Chorus mark the concluding 7:30 pm service led by Dr Burgmann. About 250 young people attend the Young Anglican gathering. over 450 attend the Centenary Ball at Albert Hall with 100 symbol decorations and debutantes presented by Dr Burgmann and Archdeacon Robertson.
The first contingent of Free French forces in the Pacific, about a hundred men, arrived in Sydney wearing tropical gear and carrying kits in boxes. They were transported to a New South Wales camp where Andre Brenoc and other Free French Movement members, alongside Australian officers, greeted them on the wharf. Commandant Brouche leads the contingent and is described as a veteran of the Great War, though the report notes many men are youngsters.
A Messerschmitt 108 captured in England arrives in Melbourne as a token of appreciation from Lord Beaverbrook to Australia. The aircraft will be shown to RAAF pilots and Aircraft Production Commission experts before being displayed to raise funds for the Comforts Fund and Red Cross.
Last week 14 000 miles arrived from Sydney for the Cotter Pumping station to the Mt Oo reservoir pipeline. Trenches are dug and pipes began this week. Three months are expected until completion with the job nearing end.
A South African reference to Hitler's long war forecast questions the blockade's impact on Germany. Observers say gains in enforcing the blockade faded after France fell, with Balkan supplies and occupied territories easing German access. Naval experts doubt immediate tightening, while some cite Mahan on limited effectiveness. The blockade only proves potent if Britain seizes additional territories from Germany.
Diplomatic circles warn Admiral Darlan may have traded French interests for position. Despite no official notice, fears rise of secret clauses granting German troop transit through unoccupied France to the Spanish border and looser control in Syria and Morocco. Some say the US Navy secretary hinted at France being used by Germany, while others doubt major armistice terms are breached.
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