CANADIAN ENTRY INTO WAR

Southland Times, Issue 23782, 1 April 1939, Page 7

CANADIAN ENTRY INTO WAR

Vote Of Parliament Needed “CONSCRIPTION IS UNNECESSARY” NO UNDERTAKING GIVEN IN SEPTEMBER (United Press Assn.—Telegraph Copyright) (Received March 31, 6.30 p.m.) OTTAWA, March 30. “As Prime Minister, I will not engage to lead Canada into war,” Mr W. L. Mackenzie King told the House of Commons today, reiterating the policy that in the event of a European outbreak Canada’s participation would be decided by a vote of Parliament. The Government would consider it its duty to make a recommendation and would stand or fall by it. “As long as the Government is in power there will be no conscription for service overseas,” said Mr Mackenzie King. “War, if it comes, will not involve great expeditionary forces. Consequently, conscription is unnecessary, even if Canada participates. “I cannot accept the view of some that, regardless of , circumstances, this country must say here and now that Canada is willing to support any action that may be decided upon by the Government of Westminster. The idea that Canada should risk the lives of its citizens every 20 years to protect the small nations is a nightmare. Canada has enough difficulty in keeping its own house in order without risking bankruptcy to help to run the Continent, which cannot run itself.” Recalling the statement of the President of the United States (Mr Franklin D. Roosevelt) in August that the United States would not tolerate foreign domination of Canada, the Prime Minister said that August was as important to Canada as September to Europe. Pointedly blaming Germany for absorbing the Czechs, he revealed., that no Dominion gave an undertaking to send troops or support Britain in the event of war during the September crisis. The British Prime Minister (Mr Neville Chamberlain) had made a great contribution to peace at Munich. “He followed exactly the right course to prevent war and never lost his faith, his temper nor his head.” Mr Mackenzie King quoted Mr Chamberlain’s statement that England would not follow his Government into war to save the Czechs and Sir Samuel Hoare’s declaration that a belligerent threat before Herr Hitler’s speech at Nuremberg would have meant certain war.