IMPROVED DEFENCE

Greymouth Evening Star, 7 September 1939, Page 10

IMPROVED DEFENCE

’ CANADA’S PROGRESS IN 1939 ) There is considerable improvement jin Canada’s; defence- position. The (Dominion is steadily acquiring. more aircraft and other equipment, while 7 at the same time pushing ahead her ‘coastal fortifications. Nearly 35,000 members of the honpernianent militia —the force -which corresponds to .the’ British Territorials —received training in summer camps. Practically all units were at . full peace-time strength, and, responsive to appeals from the defence authorities,. employers of labour in Canada co-operated generously in allowing the citizemsdldiers to undergo camp training- without los£. of pay. .. ■ . . A problem which has to be faced is the ...weakness . .in, personnel of the Permanent. Force—Canada’s small .regular .arniy.,, Next parliamentary ses-. sipn legislation, will be .introduced to increase it, with most of the increase probably taken up by artillery. The Permanent Force also works as . the instructional cadre for the militia. Canada, is giving thought to the arming of her mercantile marine. A start will be made with the government’s own ships—a fleet of passenger and freight carriers which ply between Canadian Atlantic ports and the West Indies. Arrangements are being made to equip these vessels with gun mountings, and to train officers of the mercantile marine in those duties which would have to be performed in war.

The Royal Canadian Navy will be strengthened at the end of September .when the British Admiralty delivers a destroyer flotilla leader, H.M.S. Kempenfelt, to the Canadian Government. The ship will not be released until the naval manoeuvres in September are ended. It will be employed on the Pacific station, based at Esqui;malt, B.C. ' There is a shortage of naval officers and the government is offering temporary commissions to officers of the Royal Canadian Naval Volunteer Reserve.

Aircraft deliveries to the Royal Canadian Air Force have begun in substantial numbers. For the past two years the aircraft factories have been uiidergoing the necessary preparatory period; but they are now turning out standard machines. In a few months Canada will have 150 first line fighting planes, exclusive of a considerable number, of trainers.

Deliveries of heavy guns are slow. These are made in the United Kingdom, and the Mother Country is concentrating .on her own needs first. — Canadian Press.