OF ONE MIND

Wairarapa Times-Age, 22 August 1941, Page 6

OF ONE MIND

CANADA AND BRITAIN STATEMENT BY MR KING IN LONDON. IMPERIAL WAR CABINET NOT NECESSARY. (British Official Wireless.) (Received This Day, 11.12 a.m.) RUGBY, August 21. The Canadian Prime Minister (Mr Mackenzie King), speaking in London, emphasised the determination of Canadians of al! classes and sections to be wholeheartedly on the side of Britain till the end

of the conflict which is to determine whether the things they hold most sacred in life are to be pre-

served or destroyed. Besides this, Mr King said, he had also come to tell the British people of unbounded admiration of Canadians for their indomitable courage. Their island was protecting not only their own freedom, but the freedom of Canadians and indeed of all mankind. He was glad of the opportunity to renew his friendship with Mr Churchill, which dated from 1907, and to see how Canadians in Britain were getting on.

Mr King said the progress of the Empire air training scheme which he had recently inspected throughout Canada, was a revelation even to himself. The scheme, which was considerably ahead of schedule, now embraced 70,000 trainees, including ground crews.

Referring to suggestions for an Imperial War Cabinet, Mr King said the British Commonwealth now had the most perfect communications system between Cabinets that any group of nations could have. The present system was infinitely more effective for reaching good decisions than any other could possibly be. If he stayed in London, it would only add to the delay in consulting Canada, as he would always have to consult his own Cabinet. There had never been a time when relations between the United Kingdom and Canadian Governments had been closer. Not one single point of difference had arisen since the war began. The reason was that the Canadian Government had always been consulted and had given a collective opinion before a step was taken by the United Kingdom Government. This was better than any one-man system of making decisions. Mr King added that Canada was giving credit to the United Kingdom for all supplies purchased in Canada. The question of how these credits were to be dealt with had not been considered. Canada considered this financial help as part of her contribution to the common war effort.

Asked about the question of conscription in Canada, Mr King said the view of his Cabinet was that there was no difficulty in getting enough men for all essential national services under the present voluntary system.

ACTION EXPECTED ACCORDING TO LONDON PAPER. ASPECTS OF WAR CABINET PROBLEM. (Received This Day, 1.1.25 a.m.) LONDON, August 21. The “Evening News” gossip writer understands that the question of direct Dominion representation in the War Cabinet was discussed with Mi- Fraser and will certainly be discussed with Mr Mackenzie King. It will be raised again in the House of Commons after the recess, when a positive statement and action can be expected.

The “Evening News,” in a leader, says: “Dominion representation must be solved. Are we to rest content with brief and scattered visits by busy men, or isn’t there some way by which the Dominions can appoint plenipotentiaries to Britain —men with a higher authority than that of a high commissioner, men who are free constantly to consult the War Cabinet.” The greatest obstacle to the creation of an imperial War Cabinet is Mr Churchill’s wish to maintain a small Cabinet, capable of making decisions quickly. If Mr Churchill agrees to admit Mr Menzies, oi - whoever represents Australia, to the War Cabinet, other Dominions will expect the same status for their representatives, and immediately a Cabinet of eight men will be swelled to one of twelve —excluding the problem of India’s representation.