INCREASED VOTE.

Auckland Star, Volume LXX, Issue 35, 11 February 1939, Page 11

INCREASED VOTE.

STRONGER BULWARKS.

DEFENDING CANADA.

AIR FORCE EXPANSION

(From Our Own Correspondent.)

OTTAWA, January 10.

Prepared against the background of the recent European crisis, the Canadian) national defence estimates for the forth-

coming year are expected to soar even beyond the much-increased budgeting of the past two years. Some who profess to be able to read signs and portents put the 1939 vote between £10,000,000 and £12,000,000. In normal post-war years Canada spent little mere than £3,000,000 annually on her defencc forces, and quite frequently not even as much as that.

This Dominion's defence policy is governed by certain fixed principles. First conies the necessity and determination of Canadians to protect their own coasts against invasion, either by sea or by air. The second has relation to internal security and defence against : sabotage within. The third is still in the abstract and concerns creation of a "field force" capable of rendering aid elsewhere than-- in Canada, in defence of rights which Canada holds in common with the rest of the Empire. For All Arms. \ The 1939 appropriations will be generously distributed among all arms of the service, but the Royal Canadian Air Force will receive the lion's share. Its present establishment is 225 officers and 1950 other ranks. There is a prospect of that establishment being more than doubled. In this sphere lies the most promising hope of advancement in the defence scheme for, thanks to recent contracts aw&xded to (rMßriisii Aircraft

companies by the British Government the aeroplane construction industry is being rapidly expanded. As it is, by the middle of next summer, Canada will have a good air force, • thoroughly equipped and trained, with a reservoir behind it capable of almost unlimited extension.

Coastal fortifications in British Columbia and on those provinces facing into the Atlantic are being quickly pushed ahead. In the west, these are in advance of schedule. The defence scheme contemplates that in the event of war the non-permanent militia will man these fortresses. Batteries of heavy guns have been emplaced.

The Cinderella of Canada's defence projects has, in the past, been the nonpermanent militia, the force corresponding to the British Territorial Army, which, in the words of Defence Minister lan Mackenzie, has in the past been "starved and crucified" for lack of funds. (In 1931 only 2000 militiamen received any camp training.) Recent Renovations. In lieu of new equipment, which cannot now be bought off the shelf, since every armament producing country is now in the business for itself. Canada has renovated its old stuff. War-time artillery has been rebored and made as frood a-s new, with elevation adjustments to lengthen the range. Th'e chief lack is anti-aircraft and armoured fighting vehicular equipment, though orders placed with British firms more than two lyears ago are likely to be filled within the next few months.

The Royal Canadian Xavy may see an access of strength next year. Four destroyers and two minesweepers on the Pacific are not. it is conceded, enough. Similarly two destroyers and two mine sweepers to care for the Atlantic coast are also inadequate.