Empire's Magnificent Response

Manawatu Times, Volume 65, Issue 3, 4 January 1940, Page 7

Empire's Magnificent Response

Overwhelming Offers to Britain GIVE LIE TO NAZI PROPAGANDA (British Official Wireless.) Received Wednesday, 9.20 p.m. RUGBY, Jan 2. Tho spontaneous and overwhelming offers of support from tho Dominions and colonies since the outbreak of war have caused some concern to the enemy whose propaganda has repeatedly belittled the potential and actual support from the Empire and even foretold the Empire’s early disintegration. Men, money, munitions and supplies of all kinds are reaching Britain in an everswelling spate, but first and among the greatest of tho Empire’s war contributions was the reinforcement of the British Elect by the Navies of Australia, New Zealand, Canada and India immediately tho war broke out. The greatest of these reinforcements came from Australia, with six cruisers, one flotilla leader, four destroyers and two escort vessels. In addition, Australia is now building three destroyers of the Tribal class and four escort vessels aro nearing completion. A number of ships have been requisitioned for mine-sweeping and patrol work, while seven mine-sweeping and anti-submarine vessels are being laid down and a flotilla of fast motor torpedo-boats lias been ordered. Australia trains Ler own officers and ratings and now, with the exception of a few senior officers and warrant officers, the personnel of her navy are entirely Australian. Tlio personnel proyided for in the 1939-40 Estimates was 555 officers and 5752 ratings. Reserve forces totalling some 500 officers and 5000 men were called up on the outbreak of war to complete tho seagoing fleet to war complement and man the auxiliary craft for local defence. The Royal Canadian Navy, established in 1910, had at the outbreak of war a personnel of some 500 officers and 1800 men who wore immediately reinforced by the calling up of a further 1800 reservists. Many others joined up and are now under training. When the war began Canada’s fleet consisted of six modern destroyers and five mine-sweeping trawlers. In 1939 the 36-knot flotilla leader Kempenfelt was taken over from the Royal Navy and re-named. By November 40 vessels were requisitioned for mine-sweeping and patrol work and a number of naval mine-sweepers and fast patrol vessels aro already on the stocks. Though New Zealand has no seagoing fleet of her own, since 1925 she has been lent two cruisers of the Royal Navy which she maintains at her own expense—the Achilles, made famous in the engagement with the Graf Spee, and the Leander. At the beginning of the war there were some 700 New Zealand naval ratings, who were immediately reinforced by the calling up of 700 reservists. With this force tho Dominion has already provided armed merchant cruisers and a number of mine-sweeping trawlers. New Zealand also contributed £1,000,000 toward tho construction of. the Singapore naval base. In 1938 the Government of India undertook to maintain at least six modern escort vessels for co-operation with the Royal Navy in the defence of India. The Royal Indian Navy at present consists of five escort vessels, one patrol vessel, one survey ship, one training and depot ship and various auxiliary craft based on the naval flockydrd at Bombay. Eour more modern escort vessels are about to be built. Apart from reserves, tho seagoing strength of tho Royal Indian Navy is approximately 170 officers and 1500 men. South Africa has no navy of her own but has undertaken the defence of the Union’s harbours and her 1800 miles of coastline. Shortly after the war began a special seaward defence force was organised and includes a large number of trawlers and other vessels well equipped for mine-sweeping and patrol work, and an air arm whoso reconnaissance squadrons patrol far out to sea, protecting the trade routes. The South African division of the R.N.V.R., which in peace time numbers 65 officers and approximately 1000 men, is rapidly expanding.