CANADIAN FORCES

Dominion, Volume 33, Issue 208, 29 May 1940, Page 10

CANADIAN FORCES

Immediate Expansion Announced FINANCING THE WAR EFFORT (By Telegraph.—Press Assn.—Copyright.) (Received May 28, 7.5 p.m.) OTTAWA, May 27. The House of Commons approved a Government resolution to appropriate 700,000,000 dollais to finance the war effort in the current fiscal year and immediately expand the Dominion army and air force. OTTAWA, Ma.v AR

The Prime Minister, Mr. Mackenzie King, announcing the immediate expansion of the military and air torcc-s to meet the critical situation in Europe, added that the expansion would need (lie nation’s co-operation, notablv from labour and industry, which" would have to work day and night to provide equipment. The Defence Minister, Mr. N. MCL. Rogers, gave details of the increases, which include veterans’ reserve and ritle battalions for the fourth division on active service and the calling up of 5000 listed applicants for the air iO Also skilled unemployed tradesmen! and certain unskilled workers will be called up. but skilled employees in essential Industries will be requested to remain in employment for the present. They will receive special volunteers’ badges. .Mr. Rogers added that the numerical increases could not at present bo determined. Members of the Opposition cheered the announcement and Dr. Maiiicu (Conservative) congratulated the Government, adding that the nation would give its support. AUSTRALIAN EFFORT Engineering Union Will Work 12-Hour Shifts SYDNEY, May 27. The Amalgamated Engineering Union lias expressed its willingness to work 12-hour shifts to sliced up the production of war materials. Recruiting in Sydney Ims averaged 900 a 'day since last Tuesday. The Minister of Air, Mr. J. V. Fairbairn, announced that the Commonwealth Government is asking the British Government to indicate the best means whereby Australia can quickly assist Britain with pilotsand air staffs. ISSUE OF AUSTRALIAN WAR LOANS Newsprint Rationing (Received Miry 29, 12.5 a.m.) CANBERRA, May 28. Following a meeting of the Loan Council today, the Federal Treasurer, Mr. Spender, announced the issue of an interest-free loan of £5,000,000. Subscriptions would lie invited from people who desired to assist the war effort to the extent of forgoing the interest normally received from war bonds. Mr. Spender also announced ir £20,000,000 war Joan, the terms of which include a short-term subscription with a currency of five years at 2J per cent. A longer term subscription of 10/10 years will carry interest at 31 f>er cent. Tlie loan will lie issued at par and will lie subject to full Federal tax. The Minister of Customs, Senator MeLeay. announced that the rationing of newsprint will begin in Australia on July 1. The plan agreed to will cut consumption by 54,000 tons and result in the saving of more than £1,000,000 of non-stcrling exchange. Daily papers exceeding 72 pages a week will be subjected to a 35 per cent, reduction. Sunday papers of 24 to 32 pages will have- a 25 per cent, reduction, those of 32 to 48 pages 30 per cent, and those exceeding 48 pages 35 per cent.