STRONGER BULWARKS.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LIX, Issue 69, 18 February 1939, Page 7

STRONGER BULWARKS.

CANADA’S DEFENCE PROGRAAIAIE

(From Our Own Correspondent). OTTAWA, Jan. 20

Prepared against the background of the recent European crisis, the Canadian national defence estimates for the forthcoming year arc expected to soar even beyond the much-increased budgeting of the past two years. Some who profess to be able to read signs and portents put tho 1930 vote between 50,000,000 and 60,000,000 dollars. In normal post-war years Canada spent litle more than 15,000,000 dollars annually on her defence forces, and quite frequently not even as much as that.

This Dominion’s defence policy is governed by certain fixed principles. First comes the necessity and determination of Canadians to protect their own coasts against invasion, either by sea nr by air. The second lias relation to internal security, and defence against sabotage within. The third is still in the abstract and concerns creation of a “field force” capable of rendering aid elsewhere than in Canada, in defence of rights which Canada holds in common with the rest of the Empire. FOR ALL ARAIS. The 1939 appropriations will ho generously distributed among all arms of the service, but the Royal Canadian Air Force will receive tho lion’s share. Its present establishment is 225 officers and 1,950 other ranks. There is a prospect of that establishment being more than doubled. In this sphere lies the most promising hope of advancement in the defence scheme for, thanks to recent contracts awarded to Canadian aircraft companies by tlie British Government, the aeroplane construction industry is being rapidly expanded. As it is, by the middle of next summer. Canada will have a good air force, thoroughly equipped and trained, with a reservoir behind it capable of almost unlimited extension. Coastal fortifications in British Columbia and on those provinces facing into the Atlantic are being quickly pushed ahead. In the west, these are in advance of schedule. The defence scheme contemplates that in the event of war the non-permanent militia will man these fortresses. Batteries of heavy guns have been emnlaced. Tlie Cinderella of Canada’s defence projects has, in the past, . been the non-permanent militia, the force corresponding to the British Territorial Army, which, in the words of the De : fence Minister (Mr Tan Mackenzie) has in the past been “starved and crucified” for lack of funds. (In 1931 only 200(1 militiamen received any camp training). RENOVATIONS. In lieu of new equipment, which cannot now be bought ofi the shelf, since every armament producing country is now in the business for itself, Canada lias renovated its old stuff. AYar-tiine artillery has been rebored and made as good as new, with elevation adjustments to lengthen the range. The chief lack is anti-aircraft and armoured fighting vehicular oonipment,. though orders placed with British firms more than two years ago are likely to be filled within the next few months.

Tlie Royal Canadian Navy may see an access of strength next year. Four destroyers and two minesweepers on the Pacific are not, it is conceded, enough. Similarly two destroyers and two minesweepers to eare for the Atlantic coast are also inadequate.