EMPIRE AND WAR

Grey River Argus, 29 March 1937, Page 5

EMPIRE AND WAR

CANADIAN OPINION . Co-operation with Australia IN THE PACIFIC. (Aus. & N.Z, Cable Assn.) (Received March 28, 7.45 p.m.) OTTAWA, March 27. That it is doubtful if Britain much less the Dominions, will ever send an, expeditionary force to Europe, is the opinion of the Prim© Minister of Canada (Mr W. L. Mackenzie-King). Mr R. B. Bennett (Opposition Leader) in the Canadian House of Con. mons, urged more naval co-operation With Britain.

“That was Sir Wilfred: Laurier’S policy,” Mr King declared. “The pre. sent policy’ stressed the defence fo Canada, but this was not because rooperation with Britain had been aban. doned.

Mr Bennett stated that they mast hear in mind not only defence of Canada and the Empire', but, eivilisa. lion as a whole. Mr King remarked that the Canadi, an Navy would be useful for war m the Pacific, and Australia would be able, to render great assistance. He declared that the Liberals would continue to stand' by Sir Wilfred Lauri. er’s policy. New Destroyers BRITAIN ORDERS SIXTEEN. (Received March 28, 8.5 p.m.) LONDON. March 27. The British Admiralty has placed orders under; the 1936-37 programme for sixteen “J” type destroyers, to he built simultaneously. It is many years since such a contract has been, made'. An indication iof haw construction 19 being expedited l is afforded by the fact that although the financial year does not begin until April Ist. fifteen ves. seis on the 1937 programme are already ordered, whereas formerly contracts were not placed until’’towards the , of the financial year, in which the ships were authorised. The new destroyers, each costing £380.000 will be of 1,650 tons, where. a s the older destroyers were of either L 340 or 1,850 tons. BRITISH PACIFIC (BASE ? IS CHINESE ISLAND TO BE USED ? (Received March 28 8.5 p.m.) SHANGHAI, March 27. A Chinese decision to spend £2.000,000 in developing Hainan Island 1 . has alarmed Japanese', owing to its proximity to Japanese waters. The Hongkong newspaper, “Nippo, declares that Britain persuaded, the Chinese Government to make this decision, as she hopes to secure military rights on Hainan Island in .return for financial assistance being given. Hainan Island, it states, will furnish Britain with a splendid air base between Hongkong and Singapore. 2000 on Strike AT BRITISH ARMAMENT FACTORY. (Received March 28, 8.15 p.m.) LONDON, March 27. Claiming one penny per ..hour increase in wages 2,000 engineerg are on strike at William B'eardmore’s Parkhead Forge, which is at P«sent working a twenty-four-hour shift, mainly on Government rearmament orders. _