CANADA'S WAR RECORD

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 3041, 30 March 1917, Page 7

CANADA'S WAR RECORD

IN MEN AND MONEY LIBERAL CONTRIBUTIONS Interesting information as to Canada's actual contribution in men and money to the Empire's cause has been Given in Auckland by Mr.. W. A. Beddoe, Canadian Trade Commissioner. "One naturally does not wish to invito comparison between different portions of tho Empire when all havo so amply proved .their loyalty," ho. remarked, "but I think many people will be interested to learn from exact figures how well Canada has responded' to tho nation's call. Tho people, as a whole, aro Imperialistic and- loyal, whole-heartedly with tho loaders of their Dominion, who stand pledged to tho last dollar and the last man in the great cause." Tho following figures, given on the authority of Sir Robert Borden, Prime Minister, and compilod up to the ond of January, showing what Canada has done, in the mattor of raising an army for overseas war service, wore supplied by Mr. Beddoo:— Straight onli6tmeats—men not previously connected with any form of military sen-ice 392,617 Aotive militia 9,052 Permanent forco 2,170 Naval service '. 3,310 British naval service 1,600 Imperial mechanical transport 1,200 Munition worlds in Great Britain 3,000 Navy reservists -3,000 British reservists 2,750 French reservists 5,000 Russian reservists : . ' 7,500 Italian Tesorvista 5,000 Total .131,529 On tho basis of the last census, this would represent nearly 7 per cent, of tho population. . A Heavy Casualty List. , As might be expected,-with so large an army, and one which has shown itself so valorous, Canada's casualty list is a heavy one, totalling 71,268. It is mado mi as follows:— Killed in action 10,834 Died of wounds ; 4,010 Died of sickness 49.1 Presumed dead 1,108 Wounded : ...,,. .18,451 Missing ' i. ;. 2,970 Prisoners of war 3,373 Total 71,263

As regards the financial aspect, said Mr. Beddoo, Canada had adopted the principle of domestic loans with most gratifying succoss. The first loan, of £10,000,000 produced twenty-two millions. • The second, loan, £20,000,000 was over-subscribed by exactly the same amount, while the last loan,. £20,000,000, was also largely over-snbseribed. In addition to this, Parliament authorised a loan of £100,000,000 during tho presont session. [

As is well known, very valuable as? sistance has been i rendered by Canadi as, regards tho supply of munitions. At the, present time, she is making more munitions than any country in tho world made prior to the war, with the exception only of Germany. There are now in Canada factories, chemical plants, and loading stations numbering 630, all employed in the making of munitions; The plants absorb the labour of 301,000 workmen and inspectors.. Munition of course, come ahead of all' others, and this is why New Zealand orders for steel cannot be promptly, filled,. . 'In commenting on tho- growth of Canada's trade during tho war period, Mr.i Beddoe sipplied figures, showing tho total amount of 'imports and exports for 1916. Tho value of imported goods amounted to £153,000,000, and tho exports to' £218,000,000, the exports for the year exceeding tho imports Tjy £"65,000,000. .