WAR EFFORT

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVII, Issue 23565, 27 January 1940, Page 12

WAR EFFORT

CB.ITICS' CONTENTION

SHORTCOMINGS ALLEGED

PLATFORM AT THE POLLS

By Telegraph—Press Association —Copyright

(Received January 26, ICMO p.m.) OTTAWA, .Tan. 20

The general election is expected to take place late in March. Pai'liament will meet immediately the returns are declared.

The Opposition parties have agreed that the main plank in their platform will be the Government's alleged failure to press Canada's war effort ; but, while the Conservatives and members of the Cooperative Commonwealth Federation (Labour) are in agreement upon the Government's alleged shortcomings in this respect, there is only a slight possibility that the parties will unite in an effort to defeat Mr. Mackenzie King. The Conservatives and Liberals will contest all the 2-15 seats in the House. The Co-operative Commonwealth Federation will contest about 150. Carrying on Government In the meantime, the Government will continue to function under extraordinary war-time powers. Administrative funds will be provided by Orders-in-Council. The Speech from the Throne remains unadopted, which is just one of the many precedents set in this, the shortest and most dramatic session of Parliament in Canada's history. What has annoyed the Opposition particularly is that Mr. Mackenzie King's move bids fair to deprive them of all the political ammunition they were expecting to obtain against the Government, by obtaining access to Government documents through demands on Ministers on the floor of tho House. • Politician's Comment The Premier of Alberta, Mr. William Aberhardt, commented that the Government's action was strategic rather than democratic. He said it left the people bewildered and resentful at the summary dismissal of their representatives without a chance of expressing their views.

"It is evident that there is dissatisfaction with the Liberal Administration," he said, "but the idea that there is disunity of a serious nature in Canada is questionable."

The last general election for tho Canadian House of Commons was hold in October, 1935, and the next one was not due until October this year. Following 25 by-elections held since 1935, the Liberal Party held 175 seats, the strongest Parliamentary representation in its history. The state of the parties at the time of dissolution was: —

Liberals, 175; Independent Liberals, 5; Conservatives, 38; Independent Conservatives, 1; Social Credit, 17; Cooperative Commonwealth Federation, 7; United Farmer, 1; Independent, 1. Dr. Manion, the Conservative leader, entered the House by winning a byelection at London, Ontario, against the Co-operative Commonwealth Federation candidate. At the request of Mr. Mackenzie King, he was not opposed by the Liberals.

SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH

ADVISORY COUNCIL MEETS

HUGE WAR PROGRAMME (Received January 2G, G. 35 p.m.) British Wireless LONDON, Jan. 25 The Advisory Council on Scientific Research and Technical Development, which has been set up to advise the Minister of Supply on scientific and technical problems, held its first meeting to-day. The council, of which Lord Cadman is chairman, consists of leading men in the academic and industrial spheres. Lord Cadman said at the. meeting that the council had an enormous research programme before it, which included more than items for investigation. The range of subjects was striking, covering the most exacting chemical work in the explosives section, to the most refined physical research in the communications section. <

MILITARY SERVICE REGISTRATION IN BRITAIN British Wireless LONDON, Jan. 25 The Ministry of Labour and National Service announces! that registration of men of the 23 age group will take place on February 17. This announcement puts into operation the Royal Proclamation made on January 1, in which advance warning was given that men between 19 and 28 years were to be called up in ago groups from time to time as required. • It is anticipated some 250,000 men will be affected by this latest announcement, but it is considered they will not be called up until the middle of March. The 27-year group is not likely to bo called up before November or December.