“ WILL NOT FIGHT IN FOREIGN WARS”

Timaru Herald, Volume CXLV, Issue 21304, 25 March 1939, Page 17

“ WILL NOT FIGHT IN FOREIGN WARS”

VOWS OF FRENCH - CANADIANS Strong Opposition to Conscription Dominions’ Defence Measures □ nltpd Press As.-. •lotion —Bv Electric Tc'egraph—Copvrlet i Received March 24. 10.45 p.m.) MONTREAL. March 24. More than 1500 French Canadians staged the second of the day's demonstrations against Canadian participation in any war outside Canada. The meeting was called by Jounese, the French Canadian Youth Movement. Similar sentiments were expressed at an earlier gathering of students at the Universitie de Montreal, who opposed the declarations made at Ottawa last Monday, that Canada, if England were attacked, might be called on to assist. “Down with conscription, we will die fighting conscription, before we yield. It is better to die in our native land than to die over there," cried members of the Jeunesse. A promise that he would save them from becoming “cannon fodder," was made by the Mayor of Montreal (Mr Camillien Houde). Camillien Houde was elected a conservative member of the Quebec Legislative Assembly at the age of 33; Mayor of Montreal at 38, and Leader of the Quebec Provincial Conservative Party at 39. WILL MEET NAZI THREAT CANADAS DEFINITE PROGRAMME United Pres? Association—By Electric Telegraph Copyright OTTAWA, March 23. In the House of Commons, answering a question, the Minister of Defence. Mr lan Mackenzie, stated that Canada would immediately meet the Nazi threat of a German air base on Iceland. The defence programme was being revised so as to concentrate on the Atlantic seaboard. Aggressive steps will be taken at once to establish new airports and powerful squadrons, in addition to the plans completed, and to guard every Canadian industrial plant, bridge and highway from sabotage in the event of war.

The Minister for Justice, Mr Ernest Lapointe, announced that the Government is considering a thorough inquiry into the subversive activities of organisations directed and financed from foreign lands. PROVIDING ARMAMENTS AUSTRALIA’S PROGRESSIVE MEASURES United Press Association —By tciectrh Telegraph—Copyrip MELBOURNE, March 24. Immediate steps will be taken by the Commonwealth Government to begin the manufacture, in Australia, of airframes for Bristol Beaufort warplanes, for Australian requirements, and for supply to the Royal Air Force in the Far East. This statement was made by the Prime Minister (Mr J. A. Lyons) when he announced the adoption by the British and Commonwealth Governments, of the general recommendations of the British Air Mission. It is hoped to produce about 250 machines a year, each plane being estimated to cost about £30,000. PRESIDENT’S VISIT HONOURED IN MANY FUNCTIONS United Press Association —By Electric Telegraph—Copyright LONDON. March 23. The House of Lords and the House of Commons this morning gave a reception to the French President (M. Lebrun) and Madame Lebrun at a brilliant ceremony in Westminster Hall, after which the visitors inspected the Houses of Parliament. M. Lebrun placed a wreath on the Unknown Warrior’s tomb at Westminster Abbey before leaving for Windsor to lunch with Their Majesties the King and Queen. A British Official Wireless message states that the visit will end tomorrow. To-night M. and Madame Lebrun, together with Their Majesties the King and Queen, Queen Mary and other members of the Royal Family, leading Ministers of State and Ambassadors and Ministers at the Court of St. James, attended a banquet given at the Foreign Office by Lord and Lady Halifax.