CANADA AND WAR

Grey River Argus, 27 May 1938, Page 7

CANADA AND WAR

NOT TO BE COMMITTED By Outside Authority DISCUSSION IN PARIAMENT. [Aust. & N.Z. Cable Assn.] OTTAWA, May 26. During a six hours’ debate on foreign affairs, in the House of Commons. the Prime Minister (Mr King), defining Canadian policy, declared that Canada was unlikely to engage in war on her own account, or be attacked. and cannot be dra.vn into war by the League, and will not .join the Empire in war, except by Parliament’s decision. Mr Bennett Contended that Canada as a member of the British Commonwealth was, automatically at war If the Empire were attacked, The only alternative was separation from the Empire, which would not be the choice of Canadians.

Mr J. Woodswoyth (Commonwealth Federation) stated that Canada should act to relieve herself from the obligation to fight any waj - but a war in defence of her own shores. If war comes, wealth should also be conscripted The Prime Minister declared that Canada has no commitments, and should not have any. No advice was offered to London, whose decisions were not binding on Canada, despite assertions to the contrary.

All three leaders denounced Japanese aggression. Mr Bennett warned that Hitler agents were working among the Canadian minority groups, stressing their alleged rights. He cited Czechoslovakia, where the German minority demands Homeland action to compel the Czechs to give them what they want. No language was too strong to describe the difficulty of the Euiopean situation.