EMPIRE DEFENCE

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 23177, 25 October 1938, Page 6

EMPIRE DEFENCE

POLICY OF CANADA A SPIRITED DEBATE CO-OPERATION WITH BRITAIN [FROM OtTR OWN CORRESPONDENT] OTTAWA, Sept. 28 A spirited debate on the form of Canada ; s contribution to the defence of the Empire enlivened the closing hours of the third session of Canada's 18th Parliament. Discussing a report that Britain had been refused the right to establish air training stations in Canada, the Prime Minister, Mr. Mackenzie King, said informal conversations regarding the training of Koyal Air Force pilots in the Dominion had taken place, but no request for the establishment of flying schools, here had been made. Canada could not permit the establishment of a military force in this country not under control of her Parliament and Government. The Prime Minister declared that long ago, before British naval stations and military garrisons had been withdrawn, Canadian Governments had settled on the principle that in Canada there could be no military establishments except those of the Dominion. This statement would not apply in case of actual war. At such a time it might be necessary for an ally to establish forces in Canada. Views of the Opposition Mr. 11. B. Bennett, then leader of the Conservative Opposition, said he was "wholly and utterly and entirely" in disagreement with the Prime Minister's statement. "When the ancient partner upon whom we have leaned all these years is not to be permitted to provide effective means for maintaining, not her life alone, but the life of an Empire and Commonwealth,' then I say it is time to take stock of the situation," Mr. Bennett said. "Now we are told it would be inconsistent with national sovereignty that we should permit a partner to provide for the contingency that means our life. Do not let us have any misunderstanding. If Britain we go." Facilities for Training Pilots "We will look after our own defence," replied the Prime Minister, "in co-operation with other parts of the Empire, but that co-operation will be most effectively maintained and carried out by each part managing its own affairs and being responsible to its own Parliament." Mr. King assured the House that his (statement was not to be tak'"*i as a pronouncement against the tn. iing of British Air Force olhcers in Canada, but they must be trained in Canadianowned and controlled establishments. Later on he announced that the facilities of the Royal Canadian Air Force had been formally offered to the United Kingdom for the training of British pilots.