Evening Telegraph, 22^nd May 1940

The seriousness of the situation in France has prompted Empire countries to follow the lead of Britain and France and intensify their war efforts.

In Canada, Australia, and New Zealand measures for increasing home defence and accelerating help for Britain and France are being swiftly put in hand.

In Ottawa Mr. Mackenzie King, the Canadian Prime Minister, told the House of Commons last night that the gravity of the situation called for measures to expedite the legislation for furthering Canada's war effort.

Australia, it was announced to-day, is to raise a third division for service abroad. A further contingent of Canadian troops has arrived in England. New Zealand is taking steps to strengthen her home defences.

CANADA.

OTTAWA. Wednesday.—The arrival in England of a further contingent of Canadian troops was announced last night in the Canadian House of Commons by Mr. Rogers, Minister of Defence.

Mr. Rogers said that the strength of the Canadian active service force by Monday last totalled 83,394, exclusive of reinforcements. The first reinforcements for the first division were now overseas, while further reinforcements to replace battle casualties were training in Canada.

The recruiting of reinforcements for the second division would start on June 7th. Meanwhile a selection of units for the formation of a third division would be made at an early date.

Mr. Rogers said that no Canadian force actually took part in the operations in Norway.

MORE CANADIANS ARRIVE.

"We're Glad to be Here"

Cheering and making "whoop" calls, hundreds of Canadians lined the decks of the transports on arrival at a West coast port to-day.

Many of them shouted "Hooray, we're glad to be here. Good old England."

A number of Canadian Highlanders marched to the station to the tune of "Highland Laddie". Some of the men have left young brides in Canada, having been married a few days before sailing.