THE LAUSANNE TREATY

Dominion, Volume 18, Issue 220, 11 June 1924, Page 9

THE LAUSANNE TREATY

EXTENT OF CANADA’S OBLIGATION MATTER FOR DOMINION PARLIAMENT SPEECH BY MR. MACKENZIE KING Speaking in the Canadian House of Commons Mr. Mackenzie King said the extent of Canada's obligation in regard to maintaining the Lausanne Treaty was a matter for the Dominion Parliament. He denied that he had been silent at the Imperial Conference on the subject of the treaty.

(BY TELEGRAPH—PRESS ASSOCIATION.) Copyright. Ottawa, June 9. The Dominion Government has never questioned the fact that when the Lausanne Treaty was ratified it was binding on Canada, said the Premier, Mr. Mackenzie King, in the Canadian House of Commons. The action of King George in ratifying the Treaty bound the British Empire, but the extent of Canada’s obligation in regard to maintaining, the Treaty was a matter for the Dominion Parliament to decide. •

The Premier resented the charge that he had been silent in the Imperial Conference on the subject of the Lausanne Treaty. It was , on. record. he had stated, that it might not be possible for the Canadian Government to express formal concurrence with the Treaty, and he had recently cabled to th© British Premier. . Mr. Ramsay MacDonald, drawing his attention to the minutes of the Imperial Conference. Canada would dwindle to colonial status if the Dominion Government accepted the view that the Dominion could bo bound by any action which the MHnisjter in London took at a conference not .attended hv a Canadian representative. Out of tho war had risen the doctrine of fuller equality of status, among the various parts of the British Empire. The reason the Government did not bring down the Treaty for approval ip the House was that the Government did not believe Parliament would approve it. Tlie Government was required to take the . responsibility for submitting to Parliament what it thonoffit should be submitted, and for 'withholding what should be withheld. —Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.