CANADA OFFERS U.N. BRIGADE

Press, Volume LXXXVI, Issue 26186, 9 August 1950, Page 7

CANADA OFFERS U.N. BRIGADE

Recruiting To Open To-day KOREAN SERVICE POSSIBLE (N.Z. Press Association—Copyright) (Rec. 8 p.m.) OTTAWA, August 7. Canada will recruit a special brigade of infantry and supporting arms which will be specially trained and equipped to be available for use in carrying out Canada’s obligations under the United Nations . Charter or the North Atlantic Pact, said the Prime Minister (Mr Louis St. Laurent) broadcasting tonight. “Naturally this brigade will—subject to the approval of Parliament—be available for service in Korea as part of the United Nations forces if it can most effectively be used in that way when it is ready for service.” Mr St. Laurent said that recruiting will begin on Wednesday. Cabinet had decided, he said, not to send Canada’s existing first-line regular units out of the country because such a step would “dangerously weaken our defences.” “Canada is pressing on with everything useful that can be done to increase her effective military strength,” said Mr St. Laurent.

There was no guarantee that the free nations, with all their efforts, could prevent another world war, he added, but the be'Bt chance of doing so was “by following wise and progressive international policies and by building up our joint strength with speed and determination.”

An authoritative quarter said that the brigade will be between 4000 and 5000 men and will <;ake at least six months to train.