MUTINY DENIED

Auckland Star, Volume LXXV, Issue 284, 30 November 1944, Page 5

MUTINY DENIED

UNREST IN CANADA

Attitude Of Home Defence Men To Overseas Service Rec. 12.30 p.m. OTTAWA, Nov. 29. The situation in Army camps in British Columbia is being carefully watched and completely controlled, « Mr. Mackenzie King, the Prime ' Minister, informed the House of Commons. He took exception to Mr. R. B. Hanson, acting Conserva- i tive leader, using the words "rather alarming reports of mutiny." He retorted: "It is not mutiny—most I • decidedly not." I ; The Defence Minister, General j 1 McNaughton, told the Press that any 1 disturbances among the home 1 : defence troops were due to a com-I : paratively small minority in each 1 unit. Some of theso men were I i drafted three years ago. At first j they developed a persecution complex, then they changed to a defen-! sive complex and finally, instead of j being ashamed of being "Zombies," were proud of it. I < "They are the ones who are stir- . ring up the others," General McNaughton said. Generally speaking, 75 per cent of the units were Eassive, but the trouble was caused y 25 per cent who, in some instances, were exceedingly active. With care, he was hopeful that the situation would be straightened out satisfactorily. He announced that ISGO men enlisted for active service last week, the highest on record. The previous highest was 1325 in the week following D day. Threats and Intimidation The Vancouver correspondent of the United Press, in an earlier message, said that a Pacific Command headquarters spokesman stated that the authorities completely control the situation in all camps where demonstrations were staged, and have strong hopes that the situation will improve rapidly. He added that only 2500 of the 25,000 home defence troops participated in the demonstrations. The authorities are now trying to impress on the 1600 demonstrators at Terrace that they are virtually alone and have no support elsewhere. The Canadian Press says that inquiries among home defence troops show that the leaders are using threats and intimidations to keep the less fervent soldiers in line. One man said he was participating in a demonstration, but was not sure of the root of the trouble. He added: "Men of one home drafted regiment, due to leave Terrace to-day, were told by other home defence men that if they prepare to leave they will be shot at. They mean it. They have plenty of ammunition. I think there will be serious trouble here.'The Vancouver correspondent ol the Canadian Press says disturbances again occurred at Terrace a» military inquiries started in all six British Columbia camps. One infantry regiment drafted for overseas and due to leave Terrace remained in camp late to-day under a threat of armed violence by striking home defence troops. Commons Sccret Session The House of Commons adjourned after a six-hour secret session, in which General McNaughton gave information about the armed foi ces. An open debate will be held to-mor-r°The Prune Minister, Mr. Mackenzie King, before the session, addressed a caucus of Quebec Liberals, i The Minister of War Services, General L. R. La Flecne, described the meeting as cordial and added that there would be no further defections from the party. . Times However, the New limes i Ottawa correspondent says that most ■ Quebec members cannot suppoit the Government on the conscription ; issue. The best Mr. Mackenzie King ran expect is 15 out of 57 votes. : This will be enough to enable him : to secure a sufficient majority of votes over all other parties. I Furthermore, he may jally Hnnal strength cis 3- result of anneal yesterday and the findings of ' the secret session. His position it> i strengthened by the fact that nobody in Parliament at present is filling : or able to take on the responsibility ' of Government with eithei a con scripUonist or anti-conscriptiomst programme. _