NATIONAL WAR MINISTRY

Grey River Argus, 4 September 1939, Page 6

NATIONAL WAR MINISTRY

Proposed in Australia/; (Received September 3, 6.30 p.m.)/ SYDNEY, September 3,' The Prime Minister, Hon. R. B. Menzies, has invited the lead era of the Labour, Mr. P. Curtin, Opposition and the Country. Partys to meet him in Canberra on Monday to discuss the international crisis and to form a War Ministry. Mr. Menzies reiterated: “We stand steadfastly by Britain in any decision which she makes over the week-end or after.”

CANADA’S POLICY. (Received September 4, 12.51 a.m.) LONDON, September 3.

Mr Chamberlain has replied to Mr Mackenzie King’s telegram as fallows:—“My colleagues and I have .received with deepest appreciatibri; the statement of policy issued by Canada , z and contained in your telegram to s me of September 1. In these critical, anxious hours, it has afforded, jis the , greatest possible encouragement to know Canada is at one With Britain in , the determination to resist aggression. OTTAWA, September 3. The Prime Minister of Canada (Mr Mackenzie King) declared: ‘Th, the .' event of the United Kingdom . ing engaged in war in Jan effort to. Resist aggression, the Goverhment/pf > Canada has unanimously decided, /as soon as Parliament meets,, to seek its r authority for effective co-operation , by Canada at the side of Britain?’;' , The Government of Canada, in, pita- > claiming the War Measures Act, 1914, • declared: “The existence of the State ■ is involved in an apprehended War.” The Leader of the Opposition (Dpc- > tor Robert Manion,) declared, his readiness to co-operate with MrjMaekenzie King, commenting: “When Britain is at war, Canada is at war.” The Defence Minister (Mr Mackenzie), announced that militia units /at present being mobilised, would :be called “Canada’s active service force.” Privates would receive 130 cents daily, plus allowances for dependents. This was twenty cents over the Great War pay. Militia are patrolling every railway terminal and important siding and bridge to guard against sabotage. The question of service abroad is dependent upon the extent of Canadian participation, as decided by Parliament on Thursday next.