BRITISH NAVAL ACTIVITY

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 83, Issue 68, 22 March 1939, Page 7

BRITISH NAVAL ACTIVITY

DOMINIONS’ PART PRAISED ESTIMATE ADOPTED ) [By Telegraph—Preu Association—Copy right J Received March 21, 8.15 p.m. LONDON, March 21. i Mr. A. V. Alexander (Labour), in j the debate on the Navy estimates in _ the House of Commons, said it would 1 be ungrateful if members of the i House of Commons did not praise the s Dominions’ naval action. Australia t had made great efforts in proportion 1 to her population to assist in naval s defence of the British Commonwealh. f New Zealand’s increased expenditure was also important. It might be a wise precaution to arrange docking facilities in Australia and South Africa for the largest warship. He was sure the Dominions would be willing to assist. j “I would feel happier if Canada would approximate Australian action," said Mr. Alexander. Sir Roger Keyes (Con.) expressed ! an opinion that the German naval I treaty was not worth the paper it was . written on. Mr. Geoffrey H. Shakespeare. Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty, contended that the treaty had a stabilising effect. I The House agreed to the estimates. CANADA’S PART READY FOR CONSULTATION 1 r t Received March 21, 5.5 p.m. 3 OTTAWA, March 20. Denouncing the seizure of Czechoslovakia as wanton and unjustifiable, the Prime Minister, in the House of Commons, declared amidst cheers that if any aggressor attacks Britain ho would have no doubt about what 1-hC decision of the Canadian people and the Canadian Parliament woul<l be. Canada was ready for the fullest conH sulfation with Britain and the Eme pire. .. Dr. Manion (Conservative Leader) K in a statement earlier pledged the fullest co-operation and the full resources of his party to the Government in the . event of a crisis. The Defence Department has an- ‘ nounced the completion of a nationwide protective network against sabotage in the event of war. All industrial , plants and public buildings will be 'l guarded. The plan includes the comv plete surveillance of all aliens, ic TORONTO, March 20. The Premier (Mr. Mitchell Hepburn) a in the Legislature, is sponsoring a d resolution that the Dominion Governe ment should take cognisance of the h fact of the European crisis and call 'r for immediate action on the part of -s the component parts of the Empire to 0 support any action which is deemed necessary by the Imperial Council. ip n | CONFERENCE NOT FAVOURED r e , BRITISH C ABINET VIEW p DANGEROUS IN TIME OF CRISIS Received March 21, 10.47 p.m. LONDON, March 21. It is stated that the British Cabinet II does not favour the Russian proposal c for a conference against the aggression Powers. Though the chances of $ an early attack on Rumania are now 0 discounted in London, Cabinet feels d that the need for action is so urgent )f in a situation so liable to produce a new crisis without warning, that |C there is no time for a full-dress conference, which will also have the 3 > disadvantage of taking important Ministers from key points at a criti-