EUROPEAN CRISIS

Grey River Argus, 25 August 1939, Page 8

EUROPEAN CRISIS

(Continued from Previous Page)

'BRITISH CONFERENCES. .: . RUGBY, August 23. Political circles consider it likely that Parliament, on the conclusion of to-morrow’s business, will adjourn again. A further meeting might be called for next week. No time is being lost in putting the nation’s constitutional, administrative and defence machinery into a state of readiness to meet any emergency, and to honour the country’s international obligations. Departmental, orders issued to-day are forerunners of the legislative provision forecast last night, and whica, it may be anticipated from a conference with Mr. Greenwood (Acting Leader of the Opposition) to-day, will prove.to be of an agreed-on charactor. The consultations between Mr. Chamberlain and Mr. Greenwood, and between the latter and Sir Samuel Hoare and the Chief Government Whip, who also conferred with the Prime Minister, may be related to the Government’s wish to see the Emergency Powers Defence Bill pass through all stages of both Houses, tomorrow. Sir S. Hoare also received a-deputation from the Trade Union Council, and later saw Mr. Chamberlain. The announcement that the King is returning to London, which came on the afternoon of a day ol great political activity, gave the key to the mood in which the British Government and people are confronting the anxieties of the European situation.

IN BRITISH DOMINIONS. LONDON. August 23. Messages received in London indicate precautionary measures to oe taken in other parts of the British Commonwealth. Tn Canada, plans have been completed for the mobilisation of the militia for home defence, immediately upon an outbreak of war. 'The strength is 45,000 men, plus reserves numbering 1,500. A Cairo message stated that all oflicers of British and Egyptian units have been recalled from leave. A Gibraltar report stated that all the defences have been manned, and the harbour is boomed. Troops are standing by. The Southern Rhodesian Parliament has been summoned for Monday, to consider emergency powers. General Smuts has appealed to Europe, to avoid suicide. Mr. Malan has called on South Africa to remain neutral, in the event of war. CANADIAN PREMIER. SEES. NO NEED FOR WAR. OTTAWA, August 23. Mr. MacKenzie King stated to-day that, but for the fact that the Government had emergency powers under the 1914 War Measures’ Act, he would summon Parliament at once. He promised to do so immediately it was apparent that peace measures were likely to fail. He added: “There is nothing in the difficulties between Germany and Poland which would justify the force, involving a European war." New Australian Force INSTEAD OF STANDING ARMY 14 000 TO TRAIN A MONTH PER YEAR. CANBERRA, August 24. “A shock force” of 14,000 men is being recruited from the voluntary militia, under a plan announced by the Prime Minister, the object being to act as a covering force, to protect vulnerable points, at the first sign of aggression. ... Pending a general mobilisation ot the militia, the plan has been substituted for the standing army proposal, recommended by Inspector-Gen-eral Squires, and rejected by the Commonwealth Government last month. The camp period will consist ol special intensive training lor 32 days per year. Following consultations between the Federal Ministers and senior defence officers, it is stated that the procedure to be adopted in an emeigencx has been carefully defined. Mr Menzies said the necessary precautions could be taken immediately. Civilian Air Reserve AUSTRALIA TO TRAIN 3000 PILOTS (Received August 24, 10.25 p.m.) CANBERRA, August 24. The Prime Minister. Hon. R. D Menzies, announced to-day comprehensive plans for the creation of a Civilian Air Reserve, by subsidising the training of about three thousand pilots in the next three years. He said the Commonwealth was prepared to pay substantial subsidies to aero clubs and flying training schools and an opportunity would be afforded for scores, of air-minded young men of good physique to obtain cheap flying instruction, with the added advantage of serving then - country in its hour of need.

N.Z. Conscription TARANAKI PAPER’S ADVOCACY. “CALIBRE OF N.Z. YOUTH DETERIORATING.” NEW PLYMOUTH, August 24. . The “Taranaki Daily News” is publishing to-morrow a full page open appeal to the Government to reconsider the decision against compulsory military service. The appeal gives full credit to the Government for its present energetic defence policy. It says: “This is not enough, and t-he national character is as much involved as the purely defence issue.” The article maintains that the calibre of New Zealand youth is deteriorating for various reasons. It also asserts that careful investigations among a cross section of Taranaki opinion reveals a distinct change of attitude towards compulsory training. The belief is expressed that public opinion would- support an alteration in the Government policy. It suggests that this should strengthen the hand of the Government in making a change.