Sharp Attacks On Diefenbaker

Press, Volume CI, Issue 29938, 27 September 1962, Page 13

Sharp Attacks On Diefenbaker

(Specially written for the N.Z.P.A. by MELVIN SUFRIN) TORONTO, September 25. The Canadian Prime Minister (Mr Diefenbaker) has come under sharp attack from his political opponents for the Canadian Government’s stand at the Commonwealth conference in London.

AU three opposition party leaders have been critical of remarks he made in efforts to dissuade Britain from going forward with plans to join the European Common Market. The unanimity .of the opposition alone would be sufficient to cast a pall of uncertainty over the session of Parliament, opening on Thursday. The Conservatives have a minority of the 265 seats in the House of Commons, and if the three opposition groups were to unite against the Government in a vote of no-confidence it would mean defeat and a new election before the end of the year. In addition to this political reaction to the Government’s activities in London, however, there is an additional reason for nervousness — the pugnacious attitude of the Liberal leader. Mr Lester Pearson, in recent statements Unusually Mild Mr Pearson’s long experience as a diplomat usually prompts him to rather mild utterances in the political arena. But in the last few days he has hammered away at the argument that the Government lacks the confidence of the people. He has challenged the other two opposition groups to join the Liberals at the first opportunity to upset the Government in a no-confidence vote and force a new election. Mr Pearson said it was •’deplorable" that Canada was “gangi-g up’’ with other Commonwealth countries tn an effort to block Britain’s entry into the Common Market. He said that British membership would, in the long run. strengthen the free world Socialist's Criticism The Socialist leader, Mr Tommy Douglas, said it was ’’fantastic” for Mr Diefenbaker to raise the question of whether Canada would be interested in the defence of Europe if Britain joined Mr Robert Thompson, the Social Credit leader, said he was disappointed that the Prime Minister had not proposed an effective Commonwealth al’emat've to the Common Market. “We in the Commonwealth have us*d Britain as a dumping ground for years." Mr Thompson said. With remarks of this sort on record, it is difficult to see how any of the three opposition groups could support the Government if it came to a vote on Canada's Sts nd at London However, while Mr Pearson's Liberals expect to pick un enough seats in a new election to form a Government. this does not necessarily mean other opposition groups will also gain The Liberals have 100 seats to 116 for the Conservatives Social Credit has 30 and the Socialists have 13 with one seo-t vacant Thus, the Libera’s cannot upset the Gove~nmemt a« lone as one of the other opposition groups votes with the Conservatives: Not Committed Neither of the two small onnosition group? has committed itself op whpf it would de in the event of a noconfidence motion and so it

caonot be assumed that the Government will be quickly upset. But it is interesting to note that if one small opposition party abstained from voting, then the other two pasties could overthrow the Conservatives. In defending himself a-gainst opposition attacks, Mr Diafenbaker has pointed to the fact that he proposed a free world trade conference to negotiate the agreements that would relieve Britain of the necessity of joining the Common Market. He has insisted that if all the details of the discussion at London were known, it would show that Canada had been entirely fair and objective, and in keeping with the traditions of the Commonwealth Another thing bothers the Liberals, however, and this is the fact that Mr Diefenbaker refused to call Parliament into session before he went to London, so that the question of confidence could be settled in advance Mr Pearson noted that 63 per cent, of the vote was against the Government in the June 17 election, and that Mr Diefenbaker acted improperly in speaking for Canada without evidence that he had the support of Parliament The Liberal leader has also

accused the Government of deceit on the grounds that in its election campaign it concealed from the public just how much trouble the economy was facing. It was not until a week after the vote that the Government admitted difficulties and introduced austerity measures. Socialists and Social Credit have also criticised the Government on this count, and there is considerable interest in whether they will join the Liberals in voting against Mr Diefenbaker, or will choose to wait at least until the Government has had a chance to unveil further plans to tackle the economic difficulties. as expected.