CANADA AND WAR

Waikato Times, Volume 125, Issue 20990, 18 December 1939, Page 8

CANADA AND WAR

POSTWAR PROBLEMS FIGHT ON COMMUNISM ALIGNMENT OF FORCES (United Press Assn.—Elec. Tel. Copyright) (Received Dec. 18, 3.15 p.m.) TORONTO, Dec. 17 Mr A. D. Rothman, chief representative of the Australian Associated Press in America, continuing his address, said:— “In the meantime there has been discouragement of the so-called witch-hunting, idealogical or otherwise. It is true the Communists are having a bad time. Two eastern Communist newspapers have been suspended and feelings against the party have been especially intensified. Since the invasion of Finland, in Quebec the strong anti-Russian feeling has actually increased Quebec's support for the national war effort, and it is freely predicted that any advance in communism in Europe would furtner solidify Quebec.

“It is interesting to note, anent idealogical witch-hunting, that recently a court ordered the release of a man whose innocent expression of opinion on war questions resulted in his denunciation and arrest. This does not mean that arrests of a similar nature under the defence regulations will not occur. A warring nation can h e expected to suffer nerves, but the tendency has been for the best elements to rally in support of internal liberties. Unrestricted Profiteering “Witch-hunting in the enonomic field, which is in the nature of a revulsion against unrestricted profiteering, also is being avoided. The Wartime Prices, and the Trade Board, which is controlling domestic prices assuring supplies, especially of necessities, has done an excellent job in preventing unreasonable price increases or an artificial scarcity of'Such vital commodities as sugar and wool. A safeguard has just been erected against possible ‘frivolous or malicious prosecutions’ under the Board’s operations, and the Board’s powers have been revised and clarified. “In conclusion it is true there is considerable puzzlement in average Canadians’ minds concerning the ultimate alignment of forces in the war theatre, and there have been no casualty lists to bring home the crucial character of the struggle, but the spirit of the people is unchanged and public interest is undiminished despite the standstill on the Western Front.”

“ ‘The people of Canada were in the war emotionally at Munich,’ a Canadian publicist told the Associated Press. ‘Now would they accept Goering instead of Hitler, with whom to negotiate peace!’ Canadians are in no mood to compromise. They want a clean sweep and a new order in Germany with whom there can be a lasting and just peace.”