CO-OPERATION IN THE EMPIRE

Dominion, Volume 37, Issue 193, 13 May 1944, Page 7

CO-OPERATION IN THE EMPIRE

Canadian Opinion DANGERS OF CHANGE OF SYSTEM . LONDON, May 11. “I believe in close co-operation, but wbnt better co-operatiou can there be than that which has served the British Commonwealth of Nations so well in this war?” said the Prime Minister of Canada, Mr. Mackenzie King, in his address to the joint sitting of the House of Lords and House of Commons today. “We have a continuing conference of Cabinets, from day to day, and even hour to hour, and the decisions from those conferences are not the decisions of Prime Ministers but the decisions, after mature consideration, of the Cabinets, and in some cases of the Parliaments themselves. “We must beware, in any attempt at change, lest we make our own people feel that there is an attempt to limit their freedom of decision, and We must be careful lest people outside the Commonwealth gain an impression that we are forming a separate bloe. We must beware, too, lest In changing the form we lose the substance.”

The principles of the policies of the Commonwealth, Mr. King declared, must be such as could be universally accepted. The solution of the world’s problems was not to be found in the isolation of any nation or group of nations. Nations, great and small, were members one of the other.

“I believ'o,” he declared, “that the security and welfare, not only .of the Commonwealth of the British Nations, .but of all the countries of the world, will depend on the British Commonwealth’s capacity to give leadership in pursuit of policies which are in character not exclusive but inclusive, and which are acceptable to other nations.”

Describing the close harmony existing between Canada and the United States, Mr. King said it had always been Canada’s policy to seek to promote a similar harmony between Britain and the United States. Such harmony and cooperation between them had been developed most successfully in this war, and it was his earnest hone that it would continue into the period atter the war.

SECRETARIAT PLAN

Thought’ Unlikely Now (By Telegraph.—Press Assn.—Copyright.) LONDON, May 11. It now appears unlikely that Mr. Curtin’s plan for an Empire secretariat will be adopted. Observers take this view after today’s speech in the House of Commons by Mr. Mackenzie King, who hinted strongly that he was opposed td the plan.

The Empire Prime Ministers today reopened the discussion on methods of establishing a post-war world security system, with the result that consideration of Mr. Curtin’s secretariat plan was again deferred. A sub-committee continued to examine technical . problems arising out of the Prime Ministers' deliberations on future military operations, particularly in the Far Eastern theatre. Plans for world security which are now taking shape envisage an organization embodying the best features of the League of Nations, but firmly based on the conception that international authority must be backed by armed power exercised by the leading nations.

The Prime Ministers arc paying close attention to the faults and shortcomings of the old League and also of practical experience gained between the wars. The stage has how been reached where the British Government’s plans on which experts have been working since the Moscow Conference will shortly be submitted to the other great Powers. This meeting between the United Nations leaders is likely to be preceded by a conference in London of high Aliled officials who will give the peace blueprints final expert scrutiny. The Dominions will be constantly consulted and their approval, will be sought for any mollifications.

TRAINING OF AIRMEN

Canada’s Part In The War (British Official Wireless.) RUGBY. May 11. The hundred thousandth fighting airman has just completed his training in Canada under the British Commonwealth air training plan. This was stated today by Mr. Mackenzie King, addressing both Houses of Parliament. The Canadian Prime Minister, who received a truly Imperial welcome, paid a personal tribute to Mr. Churchill, to whose friendship over many years of peace and close companionship throughout the years of war he referred in warm terms. “It is a source of confidence throughout the free world that you are continuing your leadership with the vision and courage that have already become a legend.” he said. He also recorded the appreciation of the entire Canadian people of the example given by the King and Queen, which had deepened the meaning and significance of our common allegiance to the Crown. Mr. iKng said that since the war began Canada had supplied Britain and Britain’s armed forces with war materails and other supplies worth nearly ,£900.090.000. of which almost half represented an outright contribution. 'Today our Army awaits the word of command to join our comrades in the liberation ot Europe,” he added. "A Canadian force will also take part in the final assault on Japan.” Speaking of the Empires united and spontaneous war effort, Mr. King, said that the voluntary decisions by Britain. Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa were supreme evidence of the unifying force of freedom.

AIR OF INFORMALITY

LONDON, May 11. An air of informality marked the occasion at Westminster when Mr. Mackenzie King addressed the assembled Lords and Commoners. It contrasted strongly with the previous day s ceremony at the Guildhall, when Mr. Fraser and Mr. Curtin received the freedom of the city. Mr. Fraser, Mr. Curtin, and Field Marshal Smuts elbowed- their way down the long aisle between rows, of plush-seated, gilt-backed chairs, Io find their places in the front, row, where Mr. Fraser sat next io Field Marshal (Smuts. Air. King, accompanied by Mr. Churchill, arrived punctually. They

were halfway down the aisle before their presence was realized, and then mtijonc rose to his feet, applauding. Mr King, who read his speech, declared hat Canada would use all her against Japan when the war against Geimany was finished. „. Mr Churchill introduced Air. King and called on Lord Simon to propose a vote of thanks. - . , . He drew laughter by saying that for once he did not have to wait to catch the Speaker’s eye, but he could reverse the decision by calling on Mr. Speaker and asking him to second the vote. It was ii great moment to see, when the occasion ended, Mr. Mackenzie King with Mrs. Churchill at his side, walking down the aisle between the Lords and Commoners, followed by Mr. Church 1 *}’ Mr. Curtin, Mr. Fraser and lucid Marshal Smuts.