AIRCRAFT PLANTS IN CANADA

Dominion, Volume 33, Issue 282, 23 August 1940, Page 10

AIRCRAFT PLANTS IN CANADA

Increase In Workers

(Received August 22, 8.30 p.m.) OTTAWA, August 22.

The Minister of Supply, Mr. Howe, disclosed that more than 8400 employees were at. present working in the Dominion’s seven aircraft plants, which was an increase of 20 per cent, in the .past month.

He also announced that he had placed a 600-000-dollar order with a Toronto company for six large rescue launches for use by the Royal Air Force on the English coast. The boats would be between 60 and 70 feet long and be capable of 35 knots.

OTTAWA. August 21.

The Minister of Defence, Mr. Ralston. announced that in addition to approximatelv ‘lO,OOO troops overseas on active service, the force in Canada at August 14 totalled 114,000, of which 20 companies were veterans and members of the Home Guard. He added that the permanent active militia totals 100,731, of which 21,500 were at present in training camps. Tlie Minister announced the authorization of the formation of an armoured brigade of 200 tanks and other mechanized units, totalling four battalions. It was admitted that the equipment was incomplete, but there was the prospect of the fairly rapid production of a new type of tank, suitable both for training and active service. LONDON AND VICHY Communication Through U.S. Government

(British Official Wireless.) RUGBY, August 21.

Asked in the House of Commons wlmt diplomatic relations or contacts existed between the Government and I he Vichy Government, the Under-Sec-retary foi’ Foreign Affairs, Mr. R. A. Butler, said: “Since the departure of tlie French Charge d’Affaires on July IS, some formal communications had been exchanged with the Vichy Government. These had been conducted through the United States Government, which ha’d assumed charge of British interests in unoccupied, as well as occupied, France. Some official exchanges had taken place with the agent who had been charged by his Governjnent with the liquidation of outstanding economic and commercial questions between France and Britain. He had left for Vichy with the members of the French Embassy in order to consult his Government, and had not yet returned.” GENERALS RETIRED Rejuvenating French Army LONDON, August 21. A decree issued in Vichy retires ISO French generals, including Generals Blanchard, I’rioux, Nogues and Conde. 'l’he last-named was formerly Inspec-tor-General of Artillery. Almost every high-placed officer who participated in the operations against. Germany has been removed. 'J'be decree says it is intended to facilitate the promotion of younger officers and rejuvenate the army. GIFTS TO BRITAIN Many Contributions To War Effort (British Official Wireless.) (Received August 22, 7.5 p.m.) RUGBY, August 21. The British Trade Unions have lent more than £7,500,000 free of hitcrest to the Government since July 5. Britain has gratefully acknowledged the latest contribution of £7500 from Tanganyika toward the cost of the war. The Falkland Islands Company, incorporated by Royal Charter in 1851, has decided to lend £20,000 to Britain free of interest in appreciation of its long and pleasant relationship with the Crown since the charter was granted. The Gold Const Spitfire fund has now reached £.‘100,000 with a fifth instalment of £5OOO. The Northern Ireland shilling Spitlire fun’ is now more than £25,000.