WAR PRODUCTION

Grey River Argus, 1 August 1940, Page 12

WAR PRODUCTION

CANADA’S INCREASE Minister’s Outline OTTAWA, July 30. Mr Howe, in the Commons said that Canadian factories U turn out 360 aeroplanes and 30 tan.s. monthly, early in 1941. Eightt L.c lories were working on 0,200 gu of which 257 had been delivered. Contracts involve 110,000,000 dollars. A further production programme, materially increasing the and being discussed between Canada at present is producing 6uo mechanised units daily, 101 ? n ’ L Canadian orders alone re P ies } 54,500,000 dollars. Britain, India > South Africa are buying largely. p 1 ish and Canadian tanks oideis total 63,000,000 dollars. . Canada is rapidly ac hievin f. ‘ ... > contained navy. Fourteen thousai. men are employed m s associated industries. Before the ci.u of the year, 28 anti-submarine vesSc ana five mine-sweepers will be com ( pleted. The programme Provides for 54 anti-submarine vessels for ti Canadian Navy and 10 for the Royal Navy, also 28 mine-sweepers for Can‘lCMr Howe said 1 that Canada was experimenting in the manufacture o aeroplane instruments and metal pr.jpellors, but had decided not to attempt to make engines in Cana a. Recently, machine tools had been produced in a volume challenging tne imagination. The production of manufactured goods was the larges, in her history, but was small compared with construction, involving a capital cost of 120,000,000 dolla 1 ..-.. Canada would have a productive capacity of 500,000,000 dollars annually The munitions programme involves the manufacture of Lee Enfieids, Brens, Colts and Brownings, aircraft machine-guns, sub-machine-guns, 2peunder anti-aircraft guns, 25-pound-er quickfirers, 40 millimeter Bofocs, anti-tank guns, 3.7 anti-aircraft guns, anti-tank rifles, and 20-millimeter Hispano-Suiza aircraft cannon. A very large gun plant, manufacturing 25-pounders and heavy naval guns, involving a capital investment of 10.0(10,000 dollars will be producing refore the end of the year. There were new 14 plants producing shells, including four-millimeter shells, 18 and 25-pounder, and 3.7, 4.5, 6, and 9.2 inch shells. The total ammunition orders were 69,000,000 dollars, of which 9,000,000 was capital expenditure. The orders were being immediately increased by 33,000,000 dollars, involving the production of several million shells. Orders for small-arms ammunition total 19,000,000 dollars. Explosive plants will begin in September producing T.N.T. nitro-cellu-lose, and rifle cordite. The capital investment in these plants is 30,060,00G dollars. A plant is being constructed for the manufacture of optical glass, gunsight predictors, etc. The production of aluminium is being doubled. The operation of the entire programme is in the hands of the Allied War Supplies Corporation, whicn is operating the secondary, chemical and other industries incidental to tr.c programme, and thus is respon c :Ue for the administration of new capital investments totalling 110,000,000 dollars. Mr Howe added that general buying, including clothing, food and equipment for the troops, totalled 245,000,000 dollars, of Which 217,000.000 would be spent in Canada, 22,000,000 in the United Kingdom, and 6,700,000 in the United States. Ninety per cent, of the A.I.F. scheme facilities have been completed. An extension of the original plan is under consideration, increasing the programme to 120 separate projects, of which 77 are being built, requiring 47 new aerodromes and extensions to 30 existing airports. It is expected that the cost of the 77 already approved will be 15,500,000 dollars. Last week, the factories turned out 25 aircraft.

Mr Gardiner, in the Commons, said that every single Canadian between 21 and 45 years may be compelled to do 30 days’ military training, with Ln the year. “There is no reason why Canada should not train 1,000,000 men, and still operate the primary and secondary industries. Possibly, the calling up of single men between 21 and 25 years will satisfy the requirements for the first year. The only exemptions will be judge;, clergy, police, and firemen. Employers are required, under a penalty, to re-employ the trainees.’’

Mr Gardiner added that Canada war in a better position than ever before to supply foodstuffs to the United Kingdom. All the surpluses would be needed, sooner or later.