OVERSEAS FORCE

Waikato Times, Volume 125, Issue 20915, 21 September 1939, Page 8

OVERSEAS FORCE

RAISED BY CANADA SENT IN NEW YEAR HELP FOR BRITAIN (United Press Assn.—Elec. Tel. Copyright) OTTAWA, Sept. 19 An announcement that Canada was organising two divisions of troops to be available as an expeditionary force if required was made today by Mr lan Mackenzie.

This was Mr Mackenzie’s last pronouncement as Minister of Defence. Tonight he relinquished the defence portfolio to Mr Norman Rogers, formerly Minister of Labour, and assumed the portfolio of Pensions and Health. Mr Norman MoLartv, formerly Pust-master-General, becomes Minister of Labour.

Continuing his statement, Mr Mackenzie said Canada was doubling its naval personnel, intensifying air training and constructing a large number of anti-submarine craft.

The British Governments first requirement, he added, was that Canada should facilitate United Kingdom purpurpose it would probably be necessary to make Canadian dollars available. This, in the first instance, would probably involve the repatriation of Canadian securities held in London and the granting of credits at a later stage.

What Britain Wants

Britain wanted naval craft, naval personnel, naval facilities, trained air personnel, technical officers and medical and engineering services. Men now 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 of men required, but the normal strength of a British division is 20,000. It is believed that tbe first division could be sent to Europe early in the New Year. Technicians would be available earlier.

The immediate programme of building small submarine chasers indicates that further discussions with the British Government will precede any building of larger craft.