ACTION IN CANADA

Wairarapa Times-Age, 21 September 1939, Page 7

ACTION IN CANADA

EXPEDITIONARY FORCE BEING ORGANISED FIRST DIVISION FOR EUROPE EARLY IN NEW YEAR. NAVAL & OTHER MEASURES. By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright. OTTAWA September 19. The Minister of Defence, Mr Tan Mackenzie, announced' that the Government is or- ' ganising Iwo divisions of Canadian troops to he available as an expeditionary force if required. The men who had already enlisted in the Canadian active service force would be permitted to volunteer “for service in Canada or elsewhere.” The Minister did not reveal the number required, but the normal strength of a British division is 20.000. It is believed the first division could go to Europe early in the New Year. Technicians will be available earlier. The Minister also announced that Canada is doubling her naval personnel, intensifying air training and constructing a large number of anti-sub-marine craft. Britain wanted naval craft, naval personnel and facilities, trained air personnel and technical officers for her medical and engineering services, the Minister said. The British Government's first requirement was facilitation of United kingdom purchases of essential supplies, for which it probably would be necessary to make Canadian dollars available. This, in the first instance, would probably involve the repatriation of the Canadian securities held in London and the granting of credits at a later stage. Stating that the immediate naval programme was for the building of small submarine chasers. Mr Mackenzie indicated that further discussions with the British Government would precede any building of larger craft. Mr Norman Rogers. Minister of Labour. tonight replaced Mr Mackenzie as Minister of Defence. Mr Mackenzie becomes Minister of Pensions and Health and Mr Norman McCarty Minister of Labour.