EMPIRE WAR PLANS

Evening Post, Volume CXXVIII, Issue 116, 13 November 1939, Page 8

EMPIRE WAR PLANS

WORK IN CANADA

SUPPLY AND AIR TRAINING

FINANCIAL DELAYS

(By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright.) NEW YORK, November 11.

The Ottawa correspondent of the Australian Associated Press, Mr. David Bailey, says that Ottawa can justifiably be described at present as Imperial Staff Headquarters.

Two important phases of the Empire's war plans are being devised and co-ordinated. First, the British Supply Board is planning economic aspects and surveying the raw material resources and industrial potentialities of the United States and Canada, preparatory to mobilising industrial production on behalf of the Allies. Second, Australian, New Zealand, British, and Canadian Ministers and air experts are planning an effort which the Canadian Prime Minister declares "may mean that final victory will be shaped on Canadian soil."

The availability of dollar exchange is the most difficult problem in both phases. Already a Canadian shortterm 2 per cent, loan has been used to repatriate the 91,000,000 dollai-s of Canadian 3£ per cent, securities held in London. Proceeds are being used for buying raw materials, foodstuffs, and armaments. A position is envisaged in which Canada may eventually become Britain's creditor. ADVANCING THE TRAINING ORGANISATION. Exchange problems are delaying the completion of the air scheme. It is a question not of disagreement on principles," but of finding means of overcoming obstacles tending. to prevent the participants supporting the scheme to the extent which each desires. Meanwhile, technicians are holding daily confei'ences, advancing the training organisation.

It is likely that the first Australians and New Zealanders will not be seen in any great numbers in Canada for at least 10 to 12 weeks after the scheme is completed. Experts draw attention to the fact that eight weeus' preliminary training is required before the trainees are ready for the advanced instruction contemplated in Canada.

Regarding this, it is emphasised that probably the most important work of experienced Australian and New Zealand Air Force officers will be on the home fronts, preparing inexperienced personnel for advanced training. Such importance is attached to this that it is believed they w:ll serve the Empire best 13,000 miles from the theatre of war. This emphasises the differences between this war and the World War.

The contemplated organisation provides that the squadrons should bear the name of the Dominion from which the personnel originates, and where possible be commanded by their own seniors. bPossibly existing squadrons ii Australia . and New Zealand will become the parent bodies of training squadrons which will bear the title of the squadrons by which they are trained, thus perpetuating traditions in the interests of existing air forces.