CANADIAN PREMIER

Grey River Argus, 13 May 1944, Page 5

CANADIAN PREMIER

Address to British Parliament

LONDON, May 11.

On Wednesday, Mr Mackenzie King, Canadian Prime Minister, addressed both Houses of the British Parliament at Westminster. He was introduced by Mr. Churchill.

Mr. Mackenzie King, who read his speech, emphasised that he was satisfied with the present system of Commonwealth consultation and that ne gave not the slightest support for Mr. Curtin’s proposed Secretariat. Voluntary decisions by Britain, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and Soutn Africa were the supreme evidence of the unifying force of freedom. In Canada, 100,000 men had been trained under the air training plan. Canada would use all its resources against Japan when the war against Germany was finished.

Canada since the war began bad supplied Britain and Britain’s armecj forces with war materials and other supplies worth nearly nine hundredmillion pounds, of which almost half represented an outright contribution. To-dav. Canada’s army awaits the word of command to join their comrades in the liberation of Europe. A Canadian force would take part in the final assault on Japan. He paid a personal tribute to Mr Churchil to whose friendship over many years of peace and close companionsnip throughout the years of war he referred in warm terms. He said: “It is u source of confidence throughout a free world that you are continuing your leadership with a vision and courage that have already become £ i legend.” He recorded the appreciation of the entire Canadian people ot the: example given by the King and Queen, which had deepened the meaning and significance of common allegiance to the Crown. - Mr. Churchill, proposing a vote of thanks, drew laughter bv saying that for once he had not had to wait to catch the Speaker’s eye, but could reverse the position by calling on the Speaker and asking him to second tne vote. An air of informality marked tne occasion, 'which contrasted strongly with the previous day’s ceremony at the Guildhall, when Mr. Fraser and Mr. Curtin received the freedom of the city. Mr. Fraser was accompanied bv Mr. Jordan, Mr. Curtin and General Smuts. All elbowed their wav down the aisle between rows oi plush-seated, gilt-backed chairs to find their places in the front row, where Mr .Fraser sat next to General Smuts. As the occasion ended, Mr. Mackenzie King with Mrs. Churchill at, his side, walked down the aisle between Lords and Commoners, followed by Mr. Churchill, Mr. Curtin, Mr. Fraser and General Smuts. It now appears unlikely. that Mr. Curtin’s plan for an Empire Secretariat will be adopted. Observers take this view after the Commons speech by Mr. Mackenzie King, who hinted strongly that he was opposed to the plan. The Prime Ministers reopened discussion on methods for establishing a post-war world security system with the result that considera? tion of Mr. Curtin’s Secretariat plan has again been deferred.

Tribute to Mr Fraser ABILITY AS STATESMAN.

(N.Z. Special Correspondent). LONDON, May 11.. A very firm impression of his ability as a statesman, shrewdness, far’sighted outlook, and well informed mind has been made, it is understood? by Mr. Fraser on the conference. He has, it is believed, the same outspoken forthright manner in conference as Mr. Churchill, and in talks where no punches are pulled and no agreement reached until aftei’ the frankest discussion, Mr. Fraser, with a. long experience of trade union bargaining behind him, has taken his full snare, impressing Mr. Churchill and parncularlv General Smuts. It has been observed that Mr. Fraser on the puozlic platform is a very different person from what he is in the conference room. While a somewhat dull atmosphere may sometimes pervade his utterances, and his long sentences, studded with parentheses between parentheses, have drawn comment m ' English newspapers that “he is .a speaker rather than an orator. ’ he promotes a decidedly different atnxosr phere at the conference tame. Yet, despite the atmosphere, ms public utterances and his observations have been widely publicised and he has been quoted frequently in connection with Commonwealth illations.

Pacific Transport MR FRASER'S PROPOSALS LONDON, May 11. The development of British aviation in the Pacific, not in competition with the United States, but after consultations with the Americans, was very strongly urged by Mr Fraser at the Prime Ministers Conference. It is understood Mr Fraser who had detailed plans for ev , ei X possible post-war air route worked out for him before he left New Zealand, put before the conference proposals for at least two trans-Pacific routes that could well be developed by Britain. He stressed New Zealand’s desire to be associated i every way with the development oi these routes, expressing the opinion that if an international scheme were impossible there should be adequate British development.. He was no doubt bearing in mind that , Hb ? Zealand will finish the war with a large body of highly skilled airmen, which is proportionately greater thnn other countries, and who viously have excellent qualifications to run services both from New Zealand to the Pacific . Islands and to the American Continent. . On the question of shipping Mi Fraser put forward a scheme for New Zealand to have, as large a share as possible of shipping facilities in the Pacific and, of course, . m New Zealand Waters. This .session of the conference was particularly important to New Zealand andl M Fraser made a point that she must not be isolated from the rest of the world by any lack of communications. Australia, it is. understood is not so vitally concerned with the trans-Pacific air routes, because she can re-establish a link with Br tarn via India, Singapore and the Dutcn East Indies. PREMIERS HONOURED LONDON, May IlMr Fraser, with Mr Curtin, re-, ceived the freedom of the city London in the Guildhall. The anc grey stone walls of Guildhall, with raw bricks showing here and there behind the dais, looked down on Ml Fraser and Mr Curtin, when they, received the freedom of the city oi London to-day, at a function steeped in tradition. In this famous building which still bears the scorch marks of the great fire of. London, city fathers and Aidermen in their scarlet gowns, and the Common Councillors in blue, received the Prime Ministers of the four Dominions, Mrs Churchill, and many members of the British Cabinet. and while the orchestra plkyed “GreenI sleeves” and extracts from “Merne I England,” the Lord Mayor m his gold and black gown, and the Lady Mayoress received distinguished

guests, the audience according their applause as one by one the the famous names were called out > a £d the great personages strode (d.owH th aisle to mount the dais. Arc ligh for film cameras shone like sunlight on the scarlet robes, giving awarm glow to the scene, the mellowing stained glass windows showing up sharply the ravages of German bo:mbing. This necessitated a building ol an iron roof to replace the an cieht oaken rafters, and robbed some statues of arms and legs. Many prominent New Zealanders were present to see their Prime Minister given the highest honour the city can confer. They included Mr and Mrs Jordan, General Puttick and Brigadier Hargest. Before Mr Fraser who was accompanied by Mrs Fraser and Mr Curtin arrived a very warm welcome was given to General Smuts, everyone clapping .and cheering him. Mr Mackenzie King also received most cordial applause. A storm of hand-clapping greeted Mr an r ] Mrs Fraser, who were followed by Mr Curtin. Both Prime Ministers signed the document which included the picturesque phrasiing that they were men of good name, that they did not desire the freedom of this City whereby to defraud the King and would “nay their scot and bare their lot. Mr Fraser who spoke for half an hour after Mr Curtin, made a typical ex tempore speech. Mr Curtin said: I believe the conference of Prime Ministers knows sufficient now about the. war not only to feel confident the enemy cannot win, but feel confident that the cause of freedom will be victorious. We look at the world on the eve of events which were planned for the purpose of overcoming a.ggreissjors. We believe those 'plans will succeed in their purpose Mr Fraser said: When it seemed to the worffi that jour shores and our shores—Britain is our . Mother Country—Were opened to invasion of the Nazi and Fascist forces, Australian and New Zealand forces were ready to fight and die to prevent one foot of one invader landing on the sacred soil of Britain. Our boys were received gladly and hospitably. They had the freedom of your homes, clubs and organisations. They got the freedom of London, and the freedom of the people of the United Kingdom, and we thank you sincerely. When 1 I was looking at the devastated areas of London, someone said to me “you certainly are seeing the city at its worst.” I replied: “Yes, 1 see the city at the worst, but the people at the best.” Instancing the closeness of co-op-eration between the countries of the British Commonwealth, Mr Fraser said that early in the war, Britain was very short of small arms .ammunition’, New Zealand had ten million rounds of small arms ammunition. She decided to send half. Mr Mackenzie King was cabled asking him to send the amount direct to Britain to save time. New Zealand offered to repay what was-sent to Britain. The ship with the consignment from New Zealand was sunk by a German mine, but five million rounds reached Britain. Mr Fraser recalled the postscript to a letter written fo him by General Freyberg from Mersa Matruh: “We here this evening. In the morning we are going up the escarpments to meet Rommel head on. i Mr. Fraser commented: “Head on. [ That was, and' is, the spirit of the Dominions and the spirit of Britain ! —to get right into them.”

Outside the Conference PRIM'E MINISTERS’ BUSY TIME. (N.Z. Official News Service). LONDON, May 11. This is proving to be another extremely busy week for the Prime Ministers, with many discussions and a great deal of official business outside the Commonwealth Conference hours. The New Zealand Prime Minister (Mr. Fraser) has again seen Mr. Churchill, Mr. Eden and Lord' Cranborne, and also had a talk with the United States Ambassador (Mr. Winnant). A recent caller was Sir Thomas Mitchell, Lord Provost of Aberdeen. This afternoon Mr. Fraser ■ visited the House of Commons to hear an address given by Mr. Mackenzie King, and this evening he is to be at an official reception tendered by the British Government to the visiting Prime Ministers and their staffs. Mrs. Fraser has spent a good deal of time this week in New Zealand Headquarters, London, examining the organisation of relief for Dominion prisoners of war held in enemy camps in’ Europe. She has had talks with Mr. C. B. Burdekin. who is in charge of that activity, and Mr. Keith WestWatson, who is agent here for the University of New Zealand and arranges study courses for prisoners of war. MR CHURCHILL INVITED TO N.Z. LONDON. Mav 11. When Mr Churchill visits Australia, at the invitation of Mr... Curtin, it can be taken for granted he will also visit New Zealand. It is understood that the New Zealand Government last year extended a warm invitation to Mr Churchill and the War Cabinet to visit. New Zealand, and that Mr Churchill accented. He has never previously had the opportunity to visit the Dominion, but it is known he is particularly -anxious to see the country, for whose! troops he has expresses such profound admiration. The invitation arid the acceptance were at that time kept I secret for reasons of security. When I he will be able to .p.ay the., visit, and ! how many members of the W?r j Cabinet will accompany him it is. of course, impossible to indicate at the present time.