CANADA'S WAR RECORD

New Zealand Herald, Volume LIV, Issue 16500, 28 March 1917, Page 8

CANADA'S WAR RECORD

MEN AND MONEY. LIBERAL CONTRIBUTIONS. Intebestino information as to ' Canada's actual,contribution. in men and'money to the Empire's ; cause ' was f given ? yesterday by Mr. W. A. Beddoe, Canadian Trade Commissioner. •■ "One naturally k does not wish to invite comparison between different portions of the; Empire when all have 'bo amply proved their loyalty," he remarked, '"but I ;.think many peoplo will be .interested to learn from exact figures how well t Canada has responded :to the nation's call. The people, as a whole, ; are Imperialistic and loyal, ; whole-heartedly with the loaders of their Dominion, who stand pledged Ho"•: tho last V dollar and the last man in the great cause." 1 '.'-''• Tho following . figures given on the authority of Sir Robert Borden, Prime (Minister, and compiled up to tho end af January, showing what Canada has done in the matter of raising an army for overseas war service, were supplied' by Mr, Beddoe;—•'-" •' . \-'p£ ,*'.4'■•'m>,' Straight. enlistments—men not previ- .-. ously connected with any,form of , military service ... .".... , ..; 892.647 Active militia ... ... ... 0,053 Pormanont face ... ... ... 2,470 Naval service ... ... -,„ '• 3,310 ) British naval service ... ... 1,600 Imperial mechanical transport ... ,v 1,200 Munition works in Groat Britain - ... . yX 8,0110 .Navy reservists ... ■■: ."■ ... "...V 1.000 British reservists ' .'.»""r ... '••.'.- ... /• 2,750 French reservists ... - •-..,;'.', ... 6,000 iiussian reservists ... !..■.''.•.„ 7,600 Italian reservists " ... . ' ... -1; Z ... ;.'", 5.000 . ; Total ... - ■ v 'mT.' v , '*;'.„.'',' .:.... 431,529 ' On the basis, of the last' census, this would represent nearly 7 per cent, of'the population. A Heavy Casualty List. As might be expected, with so largo an j ;army, and one which has shown itself so valorous, Canada's casualty list is a heavy : one, totalling 71,263. It is made up as follows: Killed in action ... ... 10,854 Died of wounds ... ... 4,010 Died of sickness 494 Presumed dead 1,108 Wounded .■ ... 48.454 Missintf ... ', 2,970 Prisoners of war 8.373 Total ... 7i,263

, The Financial Aspect. As regards the? financial aspect, said Mr, Beddoe, Canada had adopted the principle of domestic loans with most gratifying success. The first loan oi £10,000,000 produced twenty-two millions. The second loan, £20,000,000, was over subscribed by exactly the same amount, while the last loan, £20,000,000, was also largely over-subscribed. In, addition to this, Parliament authorised a loan of £100,000,000 during the present session. ' As is well known, very valuable assistance- has been rendered by Canada as regards the supply of munitions. At the present time, she is making more munitions -than any country in the world made prior to the war, 'withtho exception only of Germany. There are now' m Canada factories, chemical plants, and loading stations' numbering 630, all employed in the making of munitions., Tho ' plants absorb the labour of 304,000 workmen and inspectors. Munition contracts, of course, come ahead of .ill others, and this is why New Zealand orders for steel cannot be promptly filled. Last Year's Trade. In commenting on tho growth of Canada's trade during the war period, Mr. Beddoe supplied figures showing tho total amount of imports and exports for 1916. » Tho 'value of imported goods amounted to £153,000,000, and the exports to £218,000,000. the exports for the year exceeding the imports by £65,000,000.,.,