CANADIAN PARLIAMENT MUST ENDORSE TREATIES.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 17880, 23 June 1926, Page 15

CANADIAN PARLIAMENT MUST ENDORSE TREATIES.

MR MACKENZIE KING’S MOTION PASSES HOUSE By Telegraph.-—Press Assn.—Copyright Reuter's Telegrams. OTTAWA, June 21. Canada’s international status and her position in the Empire was brought up in the House of Commons on Mon(I v, on a motion by the Prime Minister, Mr Mackenzie King, asking for the approval of the principle that “before his Majesty’s Canadian Ministers advise the ratification of a treaty or convenfion affecting Canada, or signify the acceptance of any treaty, convention or agreement involving military and economic sanctions, the approval of the Parliament of Canada be secured” with “all important questions of negotiations, signature and ratification of international agreements” already agreed to by the Parliaments of Great Britain, Australia, South Africa and other Dominions. The Prime Minister said he hoped that the House would give approval to the motion, which was brought forward at this time because the Imperial Conference had been called to meet in October. “We stand first and foremost always for the approval of the Parliament, of Canada,” the Prime Minister declared when stating the policy of the Government in regard to the ratification of treaties involving military and economic sanctions. He said: “By consulting Parliament on great questions we shall help to maintain, without the possibility of division and difference, the relations between different parts c£ the great Empire. We shall be able to further, in the most effective wav, unity within our own country, and unity within the British Empire itself.” The Prime Minister intimated that the Locarno treaties would be under discussion at the next Imperial Conference. Up to the present Canada had not signified her acceptance of the agreements, nor would she until after the conference. “The point is that the Government will take up the position that, regardless of the decision reach* ed, Parliament will be asked to approve of the acceptance of the Locarno Pact before Canada becomes a party to it.” Mr Mackenzie King’s motion on Canada’s international status within the Empire was approved without division.