THE DOMINIONS

Waikato Times, Volume 125, Issue 20955, 7 November 1939, Page 7

THE DOMINIONS

UNITY OF THE EMPIRE GREAT WORK BEING DONE NEW ZEALAND’S HELP (Official Wlrelessj (Received Nov. 7, 1 p.m.) RUGBY, Nov. 6 The military as well as economic contribution by the Dominions to the Allied war effort includes the mobilisation of ships and naval men and the rapid expansion of naval construction. The Dominions have undertaken all measures for local defence. Canada is organising a division, available as an expeditionary force if and when required, and is taking steps to have a second force ready. Australia is mobilising a militia force of 80,000 and has raised a special force of 20,000 for service in Australia or overseas. New Zealand has a special force of 6500 already in training, and South Africa is preparing forces in readiness for any emergency in Africa. The preparation is going forward with the utmost seriousness in South Africa for a possible active share in the war. There is no lack of volunteers to bring the active citizen force units to war strength, involving the doubling of the peace-time establishment. In the economic field the Dominions’ contribution is impossible to overvalue. Mr Mackenzie King’s remark that Canada, besides becoming the traditional granary of the Commonwealth, may also become its arsenal, is typical of the value of the Dominions’ contribution to the common cause. Southern Rhodesia and Newfoundland also are contributing handsomely. Never before has the family of nations been more united than the British Commonwealth today. Mr R. G. Casey, in a broadcast tonight, reviewed Australia’s war measures. Ten Times As Much He said Australia is spending ten times as much on defence as five years ago. Her Air Force is rapidly expanding and the Navy, which he described as an effective force, is working very closely with the Royal Navy. Munitions manufacturing has been built up to produce many types of weapons and ammunition, he continued. “The last thing I did before leaving Australia a bare three weeks ago, was to arrange for the manufacture of some hundred training aircraft for many thousands of new pilots, as part of the great Empire air training scheme. Our munitions will not only meet practically all our own requirements, but we can help supply the other British communities on our side of the world. We produce great quantities of wool, wheat, meat, butter, sugar, dried fruits and metals, and all these things we will supply to you here to the limit of our ability.” Entertained At Dinner Mr Winston Churchill dined with the Dominion representatives. Those present included Viscount 1 Halifax, Lord Chatfield, Mr L. HoreBelisha, and the Marquess of Zetland. South Africa’s Part The Empire section of the Press Bureau announces the establishment of special Airmens’ training schools in various parts of South Africa, under an arrangement with Britain. It adds that South Africa is seriously preparing for an active share in the war, and has arranged for coastal defence. AIR MISSIONS CONFER ORDERS FOR UNITED STATES CAPACITY FOR PRODUCTION (United Press Assn.—Elec. Tel. Copyright OTTAWA, Nov. 5 The British, Australian and New Zealand air missions will begin their formal discussions to-morrow. It is believed that immediate orders will be placed in the United States and a combined AngloCanadian purchasing mission will be established at New York. A message from Washington says the United States Commerce Department survey states that Canada has a large capacity for industrial raw material production. Her major contribution to the war will be the supply of arms, ammunition, foodstuffs and equipment. Productive expansion depends on the intensity and duration of the war. War contracts at present affect principally the aircraft, textile, footwear and railcar industries, but indirectly all industry will be stimulated. The survey adds that of 3,465,000,000 dollars capital employed in 1937 in Canadian manufacturing, 1,047,000,000 was invested in companies controlled in the United States. According to a message from Ottawa financial authorities state that Canada’s long range plan of financial assistance to Britain involves the repatriation of Canadian securities and later loans to Britain. A fund of 91,000,000 dollars will be provided from the repatriation of Canadian callable securities held in Britain. It will be used to finance the British mission’s purchase of war supplies.