Canada Prepares To Deal With Post-War Problems

Northern Advocate, 16 December 1939, Page 4

Canada Prepares To Deal With Post-War Problems

(Received 1 p.m.) TORONTO, December 15

Thai the Canadian leaders are giving a great deal of thought to the coming post-war period, in preparing for the present war effort, is a notable feature of the Dominion’s plans. The question is being asked: Whan can Canada do to prevent the social and economic deterioration that is now so widely feared as the war's possible aftermath? Thus the Opposition Leader (Dr. Manion) has asked for study of the problems affecting the post-war welfare of the general population. There must be no lack of planning as in 1918.

There has also been a strong effort to protect civil liberties during the war, while, in the meantime, maintaining national unity. The Quebec elections are believed to have given a definite answer in the latter connection.

Indeed there have been relatively more numerous enlistments of FrenchCanadians than of others.

All in all, the best opinion indicates that the nation is unifiedly resolved to fulfill its undertaking in the war. There has likewise been a halt in politics as such. The Ontario Government, for instance, whose differences with the Federal Government were noteworthy, has suspended such differences, and it is vigorously supporting the war effort. The results of some six pending Federal by-elections in widely-spread districts arc expected to give further proof If this is necessary of a united nation. Communists Have Bad Time. Meantime there has been discouragement of so-called “witch hunting,” ideological or otherwise. It is true that the Communists are having a bad time, and two Eastern Communist newspapers have been suspended, while feelings against the party have been especially intensified since the invasion of Finland. Quebec's strong anti-Russian feel-

in£ has actually increased the province’s support of the national war effort, and it is freely predicted that any advance of Communism in Europe would further solidify Quebec.

An interesting sidelight on ideological “witch hunting” is that recently the courts ordered the release of a man whose innocent expression of opinion on war questions resulted in his denunciation and arrest. Price Control.

This, however, does not mean that arrests of a similar nature under the defence regulations may not occur.

A warring nation can be expected to suffer nerves, but the tendency has been that the best elements rally to the support of internal liberties. “Witch-hunting” in the economic field, which is in the nature of a revulsion against unrestricted profiting, is also being avoided. Thus, while the Wartime Prices and Trade Board, which is controlling domestic prices and assuring supplies, especially of necessities, has done an excellent job in preventing unreasonable price increases or artificial scarcity of such vital commodities as sugar and wool, a safeguard has just been erected against possible “frivolous or malicious prosecutions,” under the board’s operations and the board’s powers have been revised and clarified. Public Interest Undiminished.

In conclusion, it is true, that there is considerable puzzlement in the average Canadian’s mind concerning the ultimate alignment of forces in- the war theatre, and there have been no casualty lists to bring home the crucial character of the struggle. But the spirit of the people is unchanged and public interest is undiminished, despite the standstill on the Western Front.

“The people of Canada were in the war emotionally at Munich,” said a Canadian publicist to the Associated Press, “and they would not accept Goering now instead of Hitler, with whom to negotiate a peace.

“Canadians are in no mood to compromise.

“They want a clean sweep and a new order in Germany, with which to conclude a lasting and just peace.”