Western Star (Corner Brook, N.L.), 1940-03-06

              The Western Star ESTABLISHED 1900 Vol. 40  CURLING, BAY OF ISLANDS, NEWFOUNDLAND, Wednesday, MARCH 6,1940  NO. 49 K-H NEWS-LETTER Hartfield House, Headley Borden, Hants, England (Copyright) Certain newspapers in Britain have led their readers to believe that a large part of the Netherlands is under water in order to stave off a Nazi invasion. Such is not the case- Only a very small proportion of the floodable areas has been inundated; in fact, only those sections necessary to make it possible to put the full flooding programme into effect with the minimum of delay. It has also been suggested that the system of flooding has meant sudden and precipitate evacuation on the part of residents in the areas concerned- This is not correct. Certain have been designated as floodable areas since the war of 1914-18, and the people living in these localities are aware that if and when Holland is threatened,, the waters may be let in, and they must be prepared to move. Houses in these areas are marked with a white cross and have a lower rental value than if they stood in other parts of the country. One of the most difficult problems the Dutch have had to contend with has- been that of A.R. P. Cities like Rotterdam, built in the midst of a series of canals and estuaries, lack solid ground in which to build underground shelters. Some air-raid shelters have been constructed above ground in the large Dutch towns, but from what we hear the available accommodation is limited- Preparations for blacking-out key areas have also been in progress.Therf has been a good deal of discussion behind the scenes in London during the past few weeks on the problem of how to bring home to the British public the seriousness of a war in which —except at sea—nothing much seems to be happening. We believe that democracies respond to frankness. Recent experiences in confirm this view. Last r4j>vember, the Dutch Government made the mistake of pretending" that no menace existed, when everyone knew that such was 'not the case. In the period of tension a fortnight ago, however, they took the wise precaution of explaining to the people of Holland, with admirable frankness, the danger which was believed to be overhanging the nation, and the preparations that had been undertaken to deal with any attack. The response of the Hollanders showed that trankness on the part of a Government, even when it means saying some unpleasant and disquieting things, may be the best way to reassure the public. Let us now return to Great Britain and consider that aspect of sacrifice on the home front which is represented by rationing. Almost three weeks have passed since the first stage of rationing came into force, and certain facts are becoming clear: (a) The present very limited scheme is on the whole working smoothly and efficiently; (b) the people of this country approve of the principle of rationing in war time and appreciate its necessity in order to conserve our shipping and foreign exchange. j As for (a), a friend who goes up to London for several days each week, said: "I never think about rationing, except when my wife insists on chucking my ration book into my bag as I am leaving. She tells me she uses it at home and I haven't heard her complaining yet- When I am in town -I just eat things that are not rationed, and the choice is wide enough." So long as the British people are convinced that rationing is a. vital step towards victory, there is no doubt what their answer will be, no matter how great are the sacrifices asked of them.  It is possible, however, to envisage two different sets of circumstances in which the answer of the British people might be ctherwise. The one is if they did not have faith that the hardships they were bearing were a necessary part of a comprehensive and positive plan for winning the war, the other is if they felt that there was discrimination among different sections of the population with regard to the sacrifices they were asked to make. As for the first of these considerations, we shall say no more at the moment than to point out that there are certain searching questions which many in these islands are asking at the present time: has the Governnient worked out the broad outlines of: the grand strategy which will bring victory in the shortest possible time? And has the wholelorce of our effort in the military, economic, diplomatic and propagan> da fields been brought together and co-ordinated in that scheme? We hope that the Government have got answers to these questions. If they have not, there will have to be a good many more resignations. J A section of the press ; has been suggesting that the introduction, at the outbreak of the war, of a wide scheme of rationing in Germany meant that that This Port Sets High Shipping Record Arrivals Past Year About Quarter of Million Tons total net registered tonnage of shipping to Bay of Islands from 9th May last year to the close of navigation in January was in the neighbourhood of quarter million tons. The arrivals at Corner Brook alone totaled net tonnage of 232,562 tons, not including sailing vessels and steamers in the service of local or foreign governments. The steamer arrivals numbered 62, many of them making two to five trips, while one ship made fifteen trips, another* thirteen trips, and another twelve trips. Here is the list: Convallari, Fort Amherst, Humber Arm, Haalegg, New Northland, Cedarton, Sejro, Shulamite, Rio Verde, Ivan Gorthon, City of Wellington, Severn Leigh, Gaspesia, Hans Maersk, Acadia, Oluf Maersk, Bernardo, Johann Wessels, Corner Brook, Stensby, Fernfield, Tilia Gorthon, Philip T. Dodge, North Star, Newfoundland, H.M.S. Berwick, Trenora, Christianborg, Keyholt, Ragna Gorthon, Hannington Court, Kirkpool, U.S.S. Tuscaloose, US.S. Lang, Argyle, Kirsten Maersk, Betty Maersk, City Minila, Box Hill, Anna, City of Khios, Christian Sass, Colony Trader, Jan, Hastings, Rolfsborg, Fjord, Ravnanger, Rio Branco, William Blumer, Lake Miraflores, Mathilda, Aragon, City of Oran, Fort Townshend, Curlew, Dea, Kingfisher, Nordnes, Western Explorer, Kyle, Marianne. Then there were the ships which came to Curling bringing coal or for herring cargoes, and those whMi came to Cox Cove for pulpwooa. The Customs Returns for 1938- 39 give the total tonnage of shipping to Bay of Islands for the year ended June 30, 1939, as 178,405 tons, giving it fourth place in the country, being exceeded only by Bell Island, St. John's and Port aux Basques. When the total tonnage for the country, for the past year is published, it is quite possible that this port will stand at third place. All indications point to the early opening of navigation this season. And it is hoped that last year's shipping record will be maintained. Capt. Blandford To Command S.S. Baccalieu The new steamer Baccalieu, for the Nfld- Railway system is to be commanded by Capt. Max. Blandford. She is expected to be ready to take up the South Coast service the latter part of April. Captain Blandford together with engineers, cooks and stewards will be leaving shortly to man the ship. Five Flights In 6 Days . In six days to Wednesday last British planes made five extensive flights far into German areas, One of British planes which took part in flights over Helligoland Bight is missing. All other British planes returned safely to their base. Bodies Of Explorers Found After 51-2 Months ★ * * * * ★★★★★★ * * * Possibilities Development Of Our Mackrel Fishery Bodies Found Of Explorers Lost Labrador Wilds WERE ALIVE UP TO BTH DEC. The bodies of G. H. Davidson of Montreal, J. C. Gote, timber cruiser, and Joseph Facteau, airplane pilot, missing since last September, were discovered on Thursday last, 30 miles south of Hopedale, so it was announced in Saturday's public dispatch. The plane was also discovered about two miles from the bodies. These men left Montreal on 12th September by airplane for North West River, Labrador. When they became missing, a search was begun in which several parties took part. This search was kept up fo* several months, but no trace of the missing explorers was found. The announcement of the discovery of their bodies and plane last Thursday, however, states that there was evidence the men were alive up to Bth December, practically three months from the time they set out from Montreal. The finding of their bodies within thirty miles of Hopedale would indicate that they missed their objective and flew some sixty miles beyond to the northward- Atlantic Air Mail And Freight To Begin In June According to London, the British Airways Corporation has announced that the British air postal and freight service across the North Atlantic to Newfoundland, Canada and United States probably will resume in the first week of June, via Foynes, Eire and Botwood, Nfld. Flying boats Caribou and Cabot, together with other craft of the same class, will be used in the postal and freight service. The Caribou and Cabot are Empire flying boats which were especially strengthened for North Atlantic flights. Both were used with marked success last year- They are expected to carry full loads on each flight. It-will be the only direct North Atlantic aerial service/ since the United States considers Eire within the war zone and therefore an undesirable for her trans-Atlantic aircraft, the announcement sajd. Before the war broke out, the announcement continues, Imperial Airways, now combined with British Airways, intended that in 1940 paying passengers should be carried across the North Atlantic in G class flying boats. These boats are the Golden Hind, Golden Fleece and Golden Horn, all specially designed for passenger and" mail service. Although war delayed their delivery, they may be used for mail-carrying toward the end of summer. Passenger service is not expectd to be in operation this year across the North Atlantic. Supreme Court On Circuit By proclamation in last week's Gazette it is announced that a session of the Supreme Court on Circuit will open at Corner Brook on Saturday, 27th day of April. £t Grand Falls the Court will open on Tuesday, 23rd day of April- Keep It Dark "If you've news of our munitions, keep it dark; Ships or planes or troop positions, keep it dark; Lives are lost through conversation;Here's a tip for the duration!: When you've private information,Keep it dark!'' BERNARD M. BYRNE IN THE ROYAL AIR FORCE Bernard Byrne is a son of Mr. and Mrs. George Byrne, Curling East. He was bom on October 2, 1919, he left school and went to sea at the age of 16 years. He shipped on board the s. s. Corner Brook, April 1936. After serving two years on that good ship he left her in England, April 1938 and enlisted in His Majesty's Royal Air Force. He is now serving King and Country. To Lead British Volunteers In Finland Major Roosevelt who last fall became a British subject to take a commission in the British Army new seeks permission to resign his commission to enable him to lead British volunteers in Finland. Major Roosevelt is a son of late Theodore Roosevelt one time President of United States and a cousin of President Franklin D. Roosevelt. Major Roosevelt fought in the World War. 3000 British Volunteers For Finland About a thousand British volunteers are now about ready to proceed to Finland. Others are being recruited and it is expected to bring the number up to three thousand. Only men with no dependents are being accepted. They are enlisting for duration of the war unless called up for military service by Great Britain. Daily Temperature Record Read in the morning and covers the previous 24 hours. Investigating In Mackrel Possibilities Some interest in mackrel has been shown of late, and last week T. J. O'Brien of St. John's, visited Curling making some enquiries. It is intimated there is at present wide market possibilities for this fish. There was a time in the last century when our coastal waters teemed with mackrel. Then the fish completely disappeared from the coast. During the past ten years, however, they have been reappearing, each year becoming more plentiful. Catches have been taken and efforts made to develop the industry, but prices being so low and markets dull as to discourage those who have experimented in the pickled mackrel industry. If, as some intimate, the market has now improved, at remunerative prices, there should be good opportunity to develop this branch of our fishery. That the mackrel are here, it has been proven time and again in recent years. They appear about the second week in June and continue to September. Last year several catches in nets were made- Then again a fisherman named Sheppard, of Lark Hr., took a boat lead one day from his codtrap set off Blomidon, and had big catches other days. The price was so low, however, that it would not pay for the barrel and salt, so the fish had to be thrown away. Now as to the dressing and curing of mackrel, the method is somewhat different from that of the handling of herring. In fact mackrel for pickling should be dressed much the same as pickled salmon, except that the bone is not removed. That is, it must be split down the back. The fish should be packed flesh up in the barrel after all the blood has been removed, and very strong pickle should be used. More German Planes Shot Down More Than Forty Lost To Date Two German planes which attempted to raid the British coast were shot down on Tuesday. Of Jtwo others which attacked a British trawler with machine-gun fire, one became so badly damaged by jgun fire from the trawler that it is believed to have fallen in the North Sea. This brings the German plane losses in attempted attacks on the British coast up to 4J4. "Hope For Best, But Prepare For The Worst" Mr. Clement Attlee, British Labour MP., condemns the present rulers of Germany for rejecting the whole tradition of western civilization and making evil thonged. The enemy is strong, he admits, but he is confident that the Allies can and will win, and he offers the slogan, "Hope for the best, but prepare for the wot^." GOVERNOR WALWYN SPEAKS AT MEETING TO REVIVE PATRIOTIC ASSOCIATION Presiding at a meeting in St. John's, called for the purpose of reviving the Patriotic Association, His Excellency Governor Walwyn after his introductory remarks, went on to say: The war effort Newfoundland is now called on for is"on an entirely different footing to what it was in 1914. During the Great War the Patriotic Association took over the whole administration of the manpower going overseas and this was paid for by Newfoundland funds. This time we really become a recruiting office for patriotic volunteers for the British Navy, Army and Air Force and the whole expense, which incidentally is a very heavy one, is being met by the British taxpayer. The collecting and drafting of men this time is a comparatively straight-forward job and is so far running smoothly and efficiently, but it is only just beginning to approach the task of recruiting for the Army. NEWFOUNDLAND'S IDENTITY RETAINED To remind you of what we have so far been asked to provide1 in the way of man-power I would recall to you that the Admiralty have asked for 625 men for special boat service. These volunteers have been readily obtained, and now they ask for 1,000 more seamen for general service in the Navy at the rate of 200 a month and there is already a large response. The War Office have done their utmost, under their enormous recruiting scheme and at great inconvenience to themselves, to meet our special request for our men to form a Newfoundland Unit, and I greatly appreciate the way they have met us. Even before war was declared we have never looked back from the desire to retain the identity of Newfoundlanders and we have now got it. As you know heavy mobile artillery units are to be formed, and it is a signal compliment to Newfoundlanders that they will be embodied into the Royal Regiment of Artillery, and I am sure this will appeal to our men,  have so far been asked for. Of course many more will be required for both services as we shall have to maintain our overseas drafts at full strength. So far only single men of Grade 1 category have been enrolled and this of course is a considerable drain on our young man-power when you remember that 2150 loggers have also gone overseas. PURPOSE OF ASSOCIATION I mention this because we may be shortly arriving at a more difficult stage of recruiting. I hope that when the sealers return many will volunteer their services.You naturally ask what, can the Patriotic Association do when it is formed. It is not intended to form a man's knitting club- I do not propose myself to suggest to you what line you should take, it is the best compliment I can pay you to say that you yourselves and your committees are the best judges. I would, though, mention one or two things that are constantly in my mind. SUGGESTED ASSISTANCE Firstly, to assist in recruiting and give it a more national and island wide scope, I am in no way belittling the work done by the Hecruiting and Publicity Committees. They have been, and are doing splendidly and things are running smoothly due to all their hard work. It will be an advantage to have a still wider and more intensive patriotic and publicity movement and pergonal touch in the Outports and you can individually do a lot in that" Way. The radio broadcasts are all very well in their way but it is the personal touch in the long run that counts, as so many young fellows often say "they will tell me when they want me and I am quite ready to go then." I know from experience Herring Shipment A shipment of herring consisting of a carload of headless, dressed packed herring and 500 boxes of cello-wrapped kippers was shipped last week to United States by the firm of Dunphy's Lta. 108 Repatriated War Prisoners Killed By Nazis  The Nazis out-nazied themselves last Saturday morning when at an early hour one of their bombing planes attacked the liner Domala conveying a number of British Indian subjects who had been prisoners of war in Germany and were exchanged for a like number of German subjects. Four bombs were dropped, three of which struck the ship, killing the captain and 108 of the repatriated passengers, so it has been announced by the Admiralty. The ship though set on fire, succeeded in reaching a British port- W. P. A. BISHOP FALLS W.P-A. work here is progressing very well indeed, and to date our branch has finished pj|irs mitts lj) scarves 115 pairs socks, 12 helmets 10 pullovers A total of 195 articles. The sum of S4O was raised at an afternoon tea in January, and SBS at a card party on Feb. 28 for which prizes were very kindly donated. Our first contingent of recruits for the Forestry were given a great send-off late in January and five Naval men were guests of the W.P.A. at the can} party on Feb. 28. They will be leaving shortly. Our number of workers is increasing and each week we ihave a meeting and serve a cup of tea for which members pay 10c. VSISA .ML At-COCK, Secty. (Continued Pave 4) (Continued on page 2) Date Max. Mm. February 27 26 16 >> 28 24 12 >> 29 28 1 March 1 34 9 >> 2 20 11 >» 3 27 9 n 4 22 DEVOTED TO THIS DEVELOPMENT AND PROSPERITY OF NEWFOUNDLAND REPRESENTING THE LOCAL INTERESTS OF THE WEST COAST OF THE ISLAND