VAST PROJECT

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVIII, Issue 23923, 25 March 1941, Page 8

VAST PROJECT

ST. LAWRENCE RIVER CANADA AND AMERICA FAB-BEACIIING EFFECTS VANCOUVER. March 22 A vast shift in the military and economic balance of the world will result from the St. Lawrence River canals and electricity project agreed to this week by the Governments of Canada and the United States. The project will be one of the chief factors in making the two neighbours jointly the greatest arsenal and incomparably the greatest source of military power the world has ever known. The agreement heralds the beginning of such economic and financial collaboration that Canada's war ellort will have behind it, to be drawn upon if necessary, the unequalled financial power of the United States. Strength in Future The plan will enable big ocean liners to enter the Great Lakes and by means of new dynamos will produce something over 2,000,000 extra horse-power for industry in Canada and the United States. The, full effect on the equilibrium of the world will not be felt until 19-15. Thus these neighbour nations are building not for the immediate future, but for the long future. They are making sure now that when this war has been won they will bo | strong enough to maintain victor\ that never again will this continent ho caught dolenceless in a warlike uoild. Centre of Industry In the vast sheltered waters of the Great Lakes, if the war is long, warships can be built safe from the tiansAtlantic bombers of the future, and the shipbuilding capacity ot North America will be enormously increased. The centre of North American industry will he pushed inland and the centre of agriculture will be pushed west. Now that the United States unquestionably is ready to give Canada any reasonable help it needs in the purchase of American war materials and in the construction of joint defence works, it is for Canada to decide what it needs and on what terms it is ready to accept aid. lief ore this year is out, one way or another, this aid will he needed, tor Canada has undertaken expenditures on war which, judged by pre-war standards, are fantastic. Its whole economic system will stagger under the loadot them, and a good neighbours willingness to share the load cannot and will not be rejected. AMERICAN WARSHIPS DEPARTURE FOR BRISBANE SYDNEY, March 21 The section of the United States l'leet which has been visiting Sydney lor the last three days departed yesterday afternoon for Brisbane, where it will also spend three days. The vessels were enthusiastically fa re welled in brilliant sunshine. All vantage points on the harbour front were crowded. Numerous small crait accompanied the vessels to the harbour entrance. ENTRY INTO WAR JAPANESE PREDICTION (Reed. 10.20 p.m.) TOKIO, March 24 The newspaper Yomiuri gives _ prominence to a prediction that the United States will take part in the war in Mav or June at the latest, because she wil be forced to use her own ships and own convoys to transport munitions to Britain. The newspaper said Britain is - needing all available ships tor the importation ol food. EGG SHAMPOOS FOOD MINISTRY SHOCKED LONDON, March 22 Following the disclosure that numbers of women are receiving egg shampoos in expensive beauty salons 111 London, an official of the Ministry of Food has announced that inspectors are now 011 the trail of those wasting food in this manner. The official said: "We are surprised and shocked by the news. We have ini spectors always on the lookout for the misuse of food, but a women's beauty parlour is probably the last place they would think of looking. The legal department is considering what action will be taken. "Although eggs are not rationed, the defence regulations empower us to prosecute anyone wasting food which is tit for human consumption." TANKS FOR GERMANY NEW YORK. March 11 Automobile manufacturers throughout Franco are turning out cars, tanks and ambulances for Germany, says Philip McCabe, American ajitomobile executive. now back in the United States. He says that the situation is most 'tense in Paris. The Germans are abandoning their earlier politeness. They are also openlv boasting that they will I compter Uritaiu in dune, and will then ! invade the United States.