CONSCRIPTION ISSUE

Grey River Argus, 25 November 1944, Page 3

CONSCRIPTION ISSUE

CANADIAN CRISIS Government “On the Rail” [Aust. & N.Z. Press Association] OTTAWA, November 23. At a special sitting of the Canadian House of Commons, the Prime Minister, Mr Mackenzie-King, announced an Order-in—Council, making sixteen thousand of the men conscripted for home service available for overseas service in the United Kingdom, Europe, and other war zones, including the Pacific. The Order implemented the Bill passed in 1942, authorising the Government to send home defence troops anywhere. Previous orders authorised the use of home service draftees in the West Indies,, Alaska, the Aleutians, Labrador and" Newfoundland. Th e new order authorises the Defence Minister to send abroad 16,000 men. Canada is able to meet all overseas requirements from volunteers. Five thousand additional trained infantry must be available early in December in order to safeguard the position to the end of January. A further 5000 must be found in January, and about 6000 in the succeeding months. The Air Minister, Mr Power, announced his resignation “because he is opposed to conscription for overseas service.”

Mr Mackenzie-King asked for a vote of confidence. The text of his resolution was: “That this House will aid the Government in its policy of maintaining a vigorous war.” The new Defence Minister, General McNaughton, said that regarding the purpose of providing reinforcements for overseas, he did not differ from Colonel Ralston, who resigned as Defence Minister because the Government would not agree to conscript men for overseas. He differed from his predecessor regarding methods of providing the reinforcements. Since taking office, he (General McNaughton) had-urged the application of the voluntary system, but despite increased efforts to obtain men, results have been inadequate. He had been told many members of the militia would not volunteer under the present circumstances, but that they were quite willing to be sent overseas. _ Mr Gordon Graydon, Progressive Conservative leader, announced that despite the conscription order, his party would move a' motion of no confidence in the Mackenzie-King Government, which had reversed the policy to which it had long adhered. Mr Mackenzie-King said he would do all in his power to prevent a dissolution while the Canadians were at the front. He regarded his own motion a's one of confidence. A vote will probably not be reached before next week. The United Press says that approval would mean a vote of confidence in the Administration. Rejection would mean no confidence in the present Government, but not a vote against the maintenance of a vigorous war. It would still leave the Commons free to aid another Government. GOVERNMENT SOMERSAULT LIMITED CONSCRIPTION CONCESSION. (Rec. 9.40) NEW YORK, Nov. 23. The “New York Times” says: rhe Government’s Order-in-Council to draft 16,000 home service men overseas had not been expected. It has constituted a sensational departure from the principle of voluntary enlistment for overseas service. This departure came only 24 hours after the Prime Minister, Mr MacKenzie King seemed to convey to Parliament that there would be no change of Government policy. It has apparently been dictated by General McNaughton’s admission that all efforts to raise the necessary number of volunteers among the men drafted for home defence had failed. The ink of Lord Athlone, the GovernorGeneral’s signature on the Order-in-Council was scarcely dry when Mr MacKenzie King presented it to the House. It was greeted with some cheering from the Opposition, and cries of “Surrender.” But soon the Opposition gathered, from General McNaughton’s speech, that this small measure of conscription was not what it wanted. Indeed General McNaughton mpde it very plain that he intends to maintain the voluntary system as far as possible, and that he would use the power granted under the Order-in-Council only to the extent necessary to make up the needed number of reinforcements. However, some members of the House expressed opinion of the difference between Mr MacKenzie King’s course to-day and that advocated by Colonel Ralston was very minute. One representative asked Mr MacKenzie King whether Colonel Ralston would have resigned if the present course had been adopted last month.

The Associated Press of America says: Reports were circulated in the cotridors of the Canadian Parliament before to-day’s session that five or 1 six of the members of Cabinet had threatened to resign unless a definite date Were set for a trial period of the system of conscription for overseas service.

FRENCH CANADIAN OPPOSITION. (Rec. 11.45). NEW YORK, Nov. 24. The Herald-Tribune’s Ottawa correspondent bays: Apparently a rift has developed within Mr MackenzieKing’s party between the English a'nd French speaking members. Therefore it is not certain what fate the conscription issue will meet with in Parliament. There is a possibility that several of the Members of Cabinet from Quebec will resign, in addition to Mr Power, Air Minister, reflecting the opposition of the French speaking province against compulsory overseas service. The Order-in-Coun-cil becomes effective immediately, and it is assumed that the drafting of the home defence men will proceed at once regardless of the possible political effect.