THREE-YEAR PLAN.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 61, Issue 75, 9 January 1941, Page 6

THREE-YEAR PLAN.

DEFENCE OF UNITED STATES.

HEAVY BUDGET EXPENDITURE,

(Received This Day, 9.0 a.m.) WASHINGTON, January 8,

President Roosevelt, in* a Budget message to Congress, said that world conditions had foi’ced the United States to build defence so as to be able to meet and master any contingency. The three-year defence programme, 1940/ 41/42, would total 288',482,000,000 dollars. The estimated expenditure for the year ending June 30, 1942, is 17,485,000,000, of which 10,811,000,000 is for defence.

The “democratic way” of life is at stake and the ability of the democracies to employ their full resources of manpower, skill and plants has been challenged, said Mr Roosevelt, “We will meet the challenge by maximum utilisation of plants and manpower, by maintaining services and social security. We shall also aid those suffering from no fault of their own. The essential complement of this programme is immediate consideration of the means of assuring continuation of the flow of vitally important munitions to those nations that are defending themselves against attack. Such complementary programme will call for appropriations and authorisations over and above the Budget.”

Mr Roosevelt said that the army would be increased from 750,000 men in June, 1940, to 1,400,000 by 1942, while the Navy estimates provide for the doubling of the personnel and a great increase in the fleet air force.