U.S.A. & CANADA

Wairarapa Times-Age, 22 April 1941, Page 5

U.S.A. & CANADA

CO-OPERATION IN DEFENCE PRODUCTION ARRANGEMENTS FOR EXCHANGE. FITTING IN WITH LEASE & LEND PROGRAMME. (By Telegraph—Press Association— Copyright I HYDE PARK, April 20. President Roosevelt and the Canadian Prime Minister, Mr Mackenzie King, in a joint statement announced that they had agreed to mobilise the North American defence production resources, “each country providing the other with the defence articles which it is best able to produce and, above all, quickly. ■ “While Canada has expanded her production capacity many times over since the beginning of the war, there are still numerous defence articles which she must obtain from the United States,” says the statement. “On the other hand, there is an existing and potential capacity in Canada for the speedy production of certain munitions, strategic material, aluminium and ships which the United States urgently requires. “While exact estimates cannot yet be made, it is hoped that during the next 12 months Canada can supply the United States with between 200,000,000 and 300,000,000 dollars’ worth of such defence articles. The United States payment for these supplies will materially assist Canada in meeting part of the cost of Canadian defence purchases in the United States.

“In so far as Canada’s purchases in' the United States consist of component parts to be used in equipment and munitions which Canada is producing for Britain, it was also agreed that Britain will obtain these parts under the Lease and Lend Act and forward them to Canada for inclusion in the finished articles.

“The technical and financial details will be worked out as soon as possible in accordance with the general principles agreed upon between the President and the Prime Minister.”