AGREEMENT WITH BRITAIN

Press, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22519, 29 September 1938, Page 12

AGREEMENT WITH BRITAIN

CANADA “GEARED FOR

ANY CONTINGENCY”

APPEAL MADE FOR UNITED ACTION (UNITED PRESS ASSOCIATION —COPYRIGHT.) (Received September 28, 8.30 p.m.) • OTTAWA, September 27. After an all-day session of the Cabinet, broken only to hear Mr Chamberlain’s broadcast speech, the Prime Minister (Mr W. L. Mackenzie King) stated that the time had not yet come to call Parliament. It is understood that arrangements have been completed for an immediate summons the moment war becomes an actuality. The Cabinet has prepared various alternatives to lay before the members, who must decide Canada s course.

There are growing demands throughout the country for prompt and decisive action.

After the Cabinet meeting, the Prime Minister announced that the Government agreed fully with the British stand. “Canada is geared for any contingency,” he said. He appealed to the nation for united action, so that “controversies and division which might seriously impair effective and concerted action may be avoided.” * A shipment of copper was removed from- the German freighter Frankenweld at Montreal as she was sailing for Hamburg. Customs officials declared that the shipment was not in order, but declined to comment. A third new minesweeper has been launched from Victoria. Lieutenant-Colonel E. A. Baker told a mass meeting at Victoria that it was time Canada stopped being a pensioner of the United States and Britain, and she should be spending three times as much on defence. Canada had failed to learn the lesson of the Great War. Only the British Navy prevented an invasion of Canadian homes. An iden tical problem faced them to-day. The Canadian Pacific Steamship Company has been advised that the Admiralty has taken over the Empress of Australia “temporarily.” The liner is at present at Southampton.

The defence authorities, after a survey, estimate that Canada will be able to send 750,000 men overseas and mobilise and equip them faster than in 1914. All leave for the permanent forces been cancelled.

“ FIGHT. FOR PEACE

UNHINDERED ”

FRENCH DIPLOMACY SAID TO BE ACTIVE

PARIS, September 28

The Prime Minister (M. Daladier) late last night said: “The fight goes on. At the end of another day of crisis I wish to note two facts. First I emphasise again the perfect order throughout the country, the calmness of the nation, and the regularity with which the security measures we are obliged to take are being carried out. “Second, on the international plane, the fight for peace is unhindered, and the negotiations continue, I do not believe our diplomacy is inactive. It was active in many capitals to-day.” The French press is almost unanimously pessimistic to the point of the abandonment of hope, yet it acclaims Mr Chamberlain’s broadcast, agreeing with him that if the democracies engage in war they do so for greater issues than Czechoslovakia.

KING HOLDS PRIVY COUNCIL FOUR ROYAL PROCLAMATIONS SIGNED (Received September 29, 2 a.m.) LONDON. September 28. The King held a Privy Council at Buckingham Palace, at which he signed four Royal proclamations, calling up officers and men of the Navy, Royal Marine, and Naval Reserves.

The Secretary for War (Mr A. Duff Cooper), the Chancellor of the Exchequer (Sir John Simon), the Home Secretary (Sir Samuel Hoare). the Lord Chancellor (Lord Maugham), and the Lord President Of the Council (Lord Hailsham) were present. The Ministers looked grave as they drove into the forecourt Of the palace, cheered by the waiting crowds. The Australian High Commissioner (Mr S. M. Bruce) visited No. 10 Downing Street.