CANADA IS GREAT ARSENAL

Timaru Herald, Volume CLI, Issue 22201, 19 February 1942, Page 5

CANADA IS GREAT ARSENAL

Vast Contribution To War Effort (Rec. 8.32 pm.) RUGBY. Feb. 17. The Canadian industrial war output was referred to by the president of the Canadian Chamber of Commerce in London. Unhampered by raids and with most raw materials at hand, the great factories of Canada were quickly able to switch production to war materials and as in the United Kingdom numerous smaller plants quickly and willingly fell into line, so that throughout the whole breadth of Canada munitions were pouring In ever-increasing volume to the eastern seaboard. In spite of all the enemy had done to cut the lifeline which joined Britain and North Africa the goods which reached this country from Canada in 1941 were twice what they were In the last year of peace. These shipments were vital commodities —food and munitions of* war. The fateful battle of the Atlantic was being won. Destroyers and numerous small craft which were so essential to the maintenance of trade, besides cargo vessels themselves, were now leaving the yards at a rate which, two years ago, seemed impossible. The huge motor plants which had planned a very ambitious aircraft programme were well ahead of schedule. Canada's financial contribution represented a gift of £225,000,,000 plus a loan of £91,000,000 free of interest for the duration. These measures amount to the revenue last year of the Canadian Dominion and Provincial Governments combined.