DOMINION ARMIES

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVIII, Issue 23968, 19 May 1941, Page 7

DOMINION ARMIES

FORCES AIDING BRITAIN

LORD CRAMBORNE'S PRAISE

MAGNIFICENT FEATS OF ARMS (Herd, aao p.m.) LONDON, May 17 The Secretary of State for the Dominions, Lord Cranhorne, speaking at Lewes, said that, the passionate attachment of the British people to their liberties was reflected in the great Dominions overseas, a British official , wireless message states. "They are not near and they might; easily have looked the other way," he said. "There is nothing in the Statute of Westminster to prevent them doing so, hut; they did not. They weighed in with all their strength. "Canada to-day ha,'! 160,000 men mobilised for active service. Already 60,000 are serving overseas. The Royal Canadian Xavv is playing an important part in winning the Battle of the Atlantic. Canada's shipyards are building ships of war. Her factories are producing 160 aeroplanes a month, as well as weapons of war of all kinds. Australia and New Zealand ''As early as July of last year the Australian Imperial Force amounted to 90,000 men, and recruiting has steadily proceeded ever since. This is in addition to a home defence force of 250,000 men. The New Zealand Expeditionary Force last November amounted to .'58,000 men, in addition to a home defence force of .100,000, It is unnecessary for me to stress the magnificent feats of arms of these two Dominions in Libya and Greece. This is apart altogether from their contributions in the naval sphere and the continued and increasing expansion of their war factories. ''The Union of South Africa has raised an army of 120,000, to which has been mainly due our victories in East Africa and Abyssinia. Daring of Pilots "In addition, Dominion pilots have shown themselves among the most daring in the world and are playing a full part in driving the enemy from the skies. "I have spoken of the Empire's war effort. We honour them for it. But they would be the first to say that the main burden must inevitably rest; on us. Let us shoulder that burden boldly. By doing so we shall not only make victory more certain, but we shall bring it nearer. This is one of the great moments of history. Let us be worthy of it." JOINT PLAN READY THE AMERICAN REPUBLICS ADMINISTER FRENCH COLONIES NEW YORK, May 17 The 21 American republics are prepared to set up provisional administration over French colonies in the western hemisphere, says the American Associated Press correspondent in Washington. The republics are all signatories to the Havana Pact for common action in defence of the western hemisphere. The correspondent says the republics have completed plans for whatever action is necessary to protect the Americas from attack. Naval officers from 11 South American nations have begun visits to United States naval bases. These are the first such visits in American history. Ottawa newspapers are demanding that Canada immediately take into protective custody the French islands of St. Pierre and Miquelon, in the Gulf of St. Lawrence, 12 miles from Point May. soutli-west. Newfoundland. Nazi-controlled Paris newspapers are "warning" the United States that if America intervenes in the war France will come in on the side of Germany. Los Xouveaux Temps said to-day: "France declares her solidarity with the German Reich in the event of an American attack against Europe.". WAR PRISONERS INTERNMENT IN AUSTRALIA SYDNEY, May 17 The Minister of the Army. Mr. P. C. Spender, announced that the Commonwealth Government at the request of the British Government had agreed to take Italian and German war prisoners for internment. Most of these prisoners would come from the Middle East. HUGE SUM NEEDED DUTY TO CUT SPENDING LONDON, May 10 The Chancellor of the Exchequer, Sir Tvingsley Wood, in a speech said the Treasury niuAt obtain £"200,000,000 to £.'{00.000.000 during the year from genuine private savings, notwithstanding the heavy taxation. The war had reached a stage when a man was only doing his duty if he cut down personal expenditure to the bone and lent the rest to the State. PATROL VESSEL'S SUCCESS LONDON, May 1(5 An Admiralty communique states the patrol vessel Perfective shot, down an enemy aircraft. The machine was sighted flying at about 200 ft. and was instantly engaged with tracer bullets. It was hit and the engine cut out, the aircraft crashing into the sea.