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"ing 4 or 4 Yor to WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 21, 1948 THE DAILY TIMES-GAZETTE Changing Con Feels Step In Passing PAGE NINE itions Call For National Meeting--Mr. Justified Leadership Over To Younger Man Ottawa, Jan. 21 (CP).--Text of Prime Minister Mackenzie King's statement on ealling of a. national convention to choose a new Liberal Leader: Ta « « » Let me now speak on an- other theme, one which, at this moment, arises naturally out of existing world and domestic con- ditions, and which relates more exclusively to the affairs of our own party, It seems to me that, in the light of changed and changing condi- tions, the time has come for the holding of a national convention. The Liberals of all Canada should be afforded opportunity to review the party's present position and policies, and to consider the most effective means by which Liberal principles may be applied to a solution of problems that have followed in the wake of war, and which will continue to present themselves in increasing measure, as nations seek to bring into being a new world order. There have been but two Do- minion-wide Liberal conventions since Confederation; the one held in this city in June, 1893, and the one held, also in Ottawa, in August, 1919. It is of interest to observe that from the date of Confedera- tion these conventions were held at intervals of 26 years, a little more than a quarter of a century. We of today have exceeded the 26- year record. It now is more than 28 years since the last nation-wide convention of the party was held. It is also worthy of note that the conventions were called in anti- cipation of the next ensuing gen- eral elections, and that,:-in each case, they were followed by sweep- ing victories for the party at the polls. There is another Spriking paral- lel. The convention of 1919 was called because of problems con- fronting the country as a result of ears of war. These new prob- ems, in the opinion of Sir Wilfrid Laurier, demanded the widest pos- sible consideration by Liberals throughout the country, as well as by their representatives in parlia=- ment. For some time past, I have held, very strongly, a like opinion in reference to the conditions which have arisen as a result of the last Great War. The war which ended in 1918 was a war of four years; the recent war lasted over six years. Each of these world conflicts change considerably any aspects of our national eco- nomy; each brought new political parties to the fore, and each gave rise to questions and problems which, if not wholly new, were on a scale never heretofore experi- enced. Speed Necessary This of itself would seem to necessitate the calling of a con- vention at the earliest date at which it can be arranged, having in mind the length of time re- quired to make the necessary ar- rang ts, and to ion as lit- tle as possible in the way of inter- ference with the nation's business in FE lament, here are, however, two addi- tional reasons which I regard as of first importance, One is the question of party organization, and the other the question of party leadership, This is perhaps not the time nor the occasion to discuss party or- Fanization at any length. One thing is certain, however: No party, however good its principles, and however sound its policies, can hope in these days to win in a general election without the aid of an efficient organization, This our party does not possess at the Present time, nor has it since the ast general election begun to have what is required to 'ensure the party's record and its policies be- rought before the people as they should be. It does not possess in the Do- minion, in the provinces, or in the constituencies, the kind of careful scrutiny of the party's position which should exist at all times, if full justice is to be done cause and candidates alike. For such organization of a na- tional character, as the party has at the present time, we are indebt- ed, in a very special measure, and for the most part, to our chairman of this evening, Mr. (J. Gordon) Fogo, to his little band of workers on the executive council of the federation, and to a few friends who e given them assistance from time to time. > For far too long, far too much has rested on the shoulders of far too few, Mr. Fogo, I know, will be the first to tell you that the Na- tional Liberal Federation is wholly inadequate to cope with what is expected of it. As the party's future is depend- ent in so great measure on its organization, I feel that the actual sosition should be known to the rarty, and its members be given 'in opportunity, before it is too ate, to make the hecessary pro= 'ision for this important branch f its work. Now a word as to the party lead- rship. © As you will recall, I was hosen leader of our party at the :onvention held in this city, in August, 1919, and have enjoyed this position ever since. Should I be spared, and continue to com- mand the confidence of my felw- Liberals, to a corresponding date in the present year, I will then have entered upon my 30th year in the leadership of the pty. For very obvious reasons, I have for ome time past been asking myself if the time had not arrived when the party E opportunity © of choosing a new leader. ) Was No Secret As you well know, I have not concealed my desire to be allowed to retire from active politics, just should be afforded an | as soon as the party's interests and the country's would seem to justify that step. You will recall that, after the First Great War, Sir Robert Bor- den, who had been the Prime Mini- ster throughout the years of war, and Sir Wilfrid Laurier, who had led the opposition in those years, felt that they should ask their followers to relieve them of continuing to carry the responsi- bilities and duties of leadership of their respective parties. Though not stated at the time, this was one of the objects which Sir Wilfrid had in view when, in 1918, he issued the call for a con- vention in the following year. On more than one occasion, he so stated this intention to myself and others. Unhappily, Sir Wilfrid's life came to a close before the convention, over which he had hoped to preside, assembled. . Sir Robert Borden, whose years in office and in the leadership of his party had n much fewer than those of Sir Wilfrid, felt it necessary to resign both as leader of his party, and as Prime Mini- ster, within less than two years of the Armistice which terminated hostilities. The Second Great War lasted two years longer, and was on a scale much vaster than the First Great War. Had the war against Germany and the war against Japan been brought to a close be- fore the date for the general elecn tions of 1945 had been fixed, a had time permitted the choice a new leader for that campaign, I would not have hesitated to have told the party at that time, that my years of life and of office being what they then were, I felt my task had en completed, and that in the interests of all concerned the responsibilities of party lead- ership should be entrusted to an- other. Well, it now is over 2% years since the last general elections. Should I be spared to lead the party for another six months, three years will have elapsed since the end of the Second Great War. . Knowing Something of what the six years of war, and the years of uncertainty immediately preceding, had involved of stress and strain, and knowing as well the demands political campaigns make on one's energies and strength, I stated at the commencement; of the last gen- eral election, and repeated it at different times in the course of the campaign, that, come what ma the general election of 1945 Tn the last general election in which I would lead the party. have, as you know, for the same reason, made similar state- ments from time to time, both to our own party organizations and in public. I should not like now to 'be accused of never having meant what I said; to have said what I said for what might be termed party political reasons. These are not th: kind of tactics I had ever resorted to in the course of my public life; nor are they the means by which I have come to enjoy the trust which the party still holds in me as its leader. 1 have sought to be rfectly frank in what I have had to say to the | party and to the public. I have | also tried, at all times, to look ahead. ' Cites Redsons _The one thing which I would dislike more than anything else, after the years I have had of arty leadership and of office, is that I could ever be accused of haying. held on to the position of leader- ship to what might be termed "the last moment," and then, whatever the circumstances might be, to have it said that I had "let the party down," so to speak, because of not having let the party know sufficiently in advance, of any fears I might have entertained of finding myself unequal to the tasks of leadarship in a nation-wide political campaign, I need scarcely say that my de- cision to ask for the calling of a convention for the Aon ing have mentioned is not a recent decision, suddenly "reached in the light of any new situation which has arisen either in Canada or in any part of, the world. Much less is it & deci- sion ed on any change of atti- tude toward myself on the part of my colleagues in the government, the Liberal members of the two Houses of Parliament, or the party throughout the country. It is true, I believe, that while I have very great reason to con- gratulate myself upon having had the unbroken support and confi- dence of all these constituent ele- ments of the party, ever since I was chosen leader in 1919, I have never enjoyed that confidence in fuller measure than I do today. This is a reward of years of public service which nothing else ean equal. I must confess that, over the 2% years since the last general elec- tions, I have continued to enjoy powers. of endurance which, at many times in the past, I had not felt I had a right to expect. That I enjoy the measure of health I have at the moment is, I recognize, due in no small measure to the consideration shown my years by my colleagues in the cabinet and *by my fellow-members in parlia- ment, and I think I should add; by the Canadian public. . This, however, is a consideration which, in the party's interests and in the public interest, I have no right to expect to have shown in- definitely. At the end of the last session of parliament I saw only too clearly that I should not continue to delay in the calling of a convention, and so informed my colleagues in the cabinet. The life of a parliament is five years. Assuming that a general election were not to take place be- the Dominion Liberal dll Niagara Ice Bridge 30 Feet Thick Ice bridge across Niagara River below the falls is 30 feet thick, and stretches down-river for more than a quarter of a mile, Just 10 years ago similar formation tore down Honeymoon Bridge, the present parliament, that would leave to a newly appointed leader but two years before he would have to undertake a nation-wide campaign. In some respects, that is a short enough time. It is, however, by no means cer- tain that the government would wish to wait until the expiration of the life of the parliament before seeking a renewed expression of the people's confidence. It has seemed to me, therefore, that the selection of a new leader of our party should not be further delay- ed I should like to see the new leader of our party chosen, as I, myself, was chosen at a national conven- tion by representative members of the party throughout the country, as well as by its representatives in parliament. Plans Necessary The planning and arrangements of a national convention are not something easily brought about. In a country the size of ours it re- quires a certain amount of time.- Knowing this, and feeling that the date of the eonvention should be definitely fixed before we entered upon another session of parlia- ment, I wrote a letter to each of my colleagues, in July last, in- forming them that I was anxious to have matters of importance to the party considertd at special meetings of the members of the Cabinet to be held early in Sep- tember. When the September meetings were held, I again informed my colleagues of my intention not to lead the party in another general election, and said that I thought a national convention should be ar- ranged for forthwith. It was then decided to ask the Advisory Coun- cil of the Federation, at its next meeting, to assume this under- taking. I hope I may mot be placing too heavy a burden upon the shoulders of our very willing president, Mr. Fogo, and the members of his able executive, if I now venture to ask them to assume responsibility for the calling of a convention, and for making the necessary arrange- ments for its proceedings, They will have, in this task, the assist- ance of members of the govern- ment, and of the party in both Houses of Parliament, and alsp I am sure, of provincial and local party organizations and leaders in the several provinces. Fortunately, as a guide, they will have, as well, the carefully prepar- ed and preserved record of the pro- ceedings of the two previous nation- wide Liberal conventions--ihat of Convention held in Ottawa in June, 1893, and which preceded the return of the Liberal Party to power in the me- morable victory of 1896, and that of the national Libera] convention of 1919, also held in this city, and which preceded the return to power of the Liberal administration in the victory, no less memorable, of 1921. I hope, Mr. Fogo, that before its meetings are over, you will be able to give the assurance that the Ad- visory Council of the Nationa] Lib~ eral Federation is prepared to as- sume this most important task, and | that we may all look forward to the third nationwide convention of, the Liberal Party in Canada being held in the summer of the present year, I need not tell you, ladies and gentlemen, that it is with mixed feelings, indeed, that I make the request of the National Federation which I am making tonight. It is now nearly 40 years since I first be- came a member of the Parliament of Canada, and 39 years since I first sat in the council chamber as a minister of the Crown, For an even longer time, my life has been given over mostly. to public affairs. | It has been all but exclusively de- voted to the party and to parlia- ment ever since I became the party's leader, ™n Pa-ty Interest I do not look lightly upon the possible severance of relationships which have made up so large a part of my life. I wish I could feel it | were in the interests of the party not to contemplate that severance, but just to hold on, taking chances on what the future might bring to pass. That, however, would, I know, in the end, be a mistake. Were I 20 years younger--were I 10 years younger--I should greatly fore the expiration of the life of prize the opportunity to continue in a position of leadership in times! like the present, where issues as vital as any the world has faced are being discussed and decided. I cannot forget, however, that man's allotted time is three score years and 10, and that I am now in my 74th year. It seems to me, therefore, imperative that the party should have at least the opportu- nity to consider what in its own interests mv > for the best: nd that, as its .ca.er, I shoul. ..ot be responsible for longer withholding that opportunity. I -- from believing that such service as I may be able to render in promoting Liberal principles and policies, and of service to our coun- try in other ways, would not be all the greater were I afforded more in the way of time for reflection than is possible as the leader of a political party. Tiere are, '00, a few things I should like to do, and to enjoy, before. my day of life is over, if, in God's providence, I should still be permitted the neces- sary health and strength. May I mention only one of these: Speaking at a dinner given by members of parliament, a year or two ago, I chanced to remark it was a great pity that neither Sir John A. Macdonald nor Sir Wilfrid Laurier had found it possible to leave a personal account of some of their life's experiences. 'That it was equally unfortunate that we did not possess from the pen of each some account of national de- velopments, and great events, as they themselves had known them in the making, Plans Memoirs From time to time, since I made that observation, I have read in the press that.I had already entered upon the task of writing my mem- oirs. Indeed, I have received from more than one publishing house in- quiries as to whether their repres- entatives might not discuss with me terms upon which the memoirs might be published, I do not deny that there are a few things which I should #ke to say. or to leave in written form, which I would hope might encourage younger men to take some part in public life, and which I would also hope might be helpful to them in the service of their country. I should like, too, to leave some account, were that pos. sible, of some of the great events of our times, as I have watched them develop, and have glimpsed them from behind the scenes, Such a record might be of interest and value to a succeeding genera- tion if not to our own. I must tell you, however, that this is not a task which can be performed in a day, nor yet in a year, nor is it a task that could be entered upon so long DOES COUGHING RUIN YOUR SLEEP? Gel 3 Way RE HOW TIME-HONORED FORMULA RELIEVES MILLIONS At the first sign of "tickle" due to colds or-smoking, get this scientific formula of proven cough relief. Quick, long-lasting relief 3 impor- tant ways. I. Eases ihroat tickle 2, Soothes dry membranes 3. Helps loosen phlegm as one's responsibilities continue to be what mine have been in the past, and what they are at present. I regret to have to say that up to this moment,I have not found it possible to write a single line. There are a few other matters, too long neglected, which perhaps I may be pardoned for also wishing to overtake. I believed, while the war was on, that the chance for all this would come when the war was over, I now see if it is te conte at all, it must come very soon. I have never sought either ease or idleness, I have found my greatest happ!- ness in work. That happiness, if spared, I expect to continue to find along this well-tried path. I know, however, that, in the eventide of life, the shadows speedily lengthen, and that "the night cometh where- in no man can work." Of one thing, you may be sure, If I cease to lead the party' I shall never cease to have the party's in- terests and its future near to my heart. Nor is it likely, be-the sacri- fice what it may, that I shall know- ingly shirk any responsibility which the needs of our time may seem to demand, and which I feel I am able to meet. At most, we can make but plans. Our futures will be determined by events, and by a power beyond our own, In asking that a convention be held this year to review the party's policies, and to decide 'upon the party leadership, I am planning what I believe to be best for the party's future. What may be best for all, when the convention meets, we may leave with confidence to the sound judg- ment of the convention itself, Our present duty is to see that the call- ing of a convention is not longer delayed. Austerity Taxes . Off Sport Goods Ottawa, Jan, 21--(CP)--Repercus- sions threatening some of Canada's export trade with the United States have led to withdrawal of the Dom- inicn's new 25-per-cent "austerity" tax on a group of articles, it was learned today. Items affected are oil burners and oil-burning equipment, a wide range of sporting goods, shaving brushes, and also combs and mirrors costing less than 25 cent. The sporting goods include equip- ment for polo, billiards, pool, squash, bowling, curling, fishing, golf, ten- nis and badminton. The tax was aimed at cutting down sales of imported goods, but officials said that in these lines it was threatening to backfire upon similar items manufactured in Can- ada and sold in the United States. Under United States customs reg- ulations, officials of that country have indicated the valuation of these Canadian-tmade goods for! duty purposes would be boosted in accordance in line with the new tax. This is, under a clause stating duty valuaticns may be the same | as those in the country of origin, 4 "Under . this interpretation," a finance department official said, "we stcod to lose more than we would gain on some articles." PRESSMEN END STRIKE Toronto, J an. 21--(CP)--A six weeks' strike for higher wages by printing pressmen at 105 Toronto commercial and magazine printing | establishments ended yesterday | with agreement covering all except | {two plants, the MacLean-Hunte Publishing Company and the Bry- | ant Press, Money to Aid Europe Submitted Washington, Jan. 21--(AP)--The State Department estimated today that Britain may receive $1,760,000,- 000 of the $6,800,000,000 which the Truman administration wants to spend in Europe during the first 15 months of the Marshall plan. In addition. to this 25 per cent, slice of the outlay proposed for the period beginning April 1, the De- partment gave Congress these other tentative figures in the first offic- ial breakdown of the requested ap- propriation: France, $1,434,000,000; Western Germany, $914,000,000; Italy $869,- 000,000; The 030,000;; Belgium - Luxembourg, $323,000,000; Greece, $186,000,000; Austria, $182,000,000; Denmark, $164,000,000; Ireland, $152,000,000; French - occupied Germany, $80,- 000,000; Norway, $34,000,000; Swe- den, $33,000,000; Iceland, $13,000,- Netherlands, $705,- | in Outline | 000; the former German Saar area, © $11,000,000. | There were no allotments to Pore tugal, Switzerland and Turkey, which are associated with the 13 other countries in the Marshall Plan. The State Department submitted the figures to the House of Reprer sentatives Foreign Affairs Com- mittee 'as what it called an "illus- trative distribution." It noted that the actual sharing of funds, which | might not be quite the same, would | be made by an administrator yet to | be appointed, if Congress agrees to | the Truman administration's plans. No attempt was made to figure how much American aid would he in the form of loans and how much in outright grants. Lewis ,W. Douglas, American Ambasszdor to Britain, has told Congress that 20 to 40 perecent probably would be in loans. . Changes Planned To Aid Veterans Mackenzie Says Ottawa, Jan. 21--(CP) -- Major changes in veterans' legislation were forecast for the coming parlia- mentary session today by Hon. Ian ' Mackenzie in a farewell statement following his move from the Vet- erans' Affairs Ministry to the Sen- ate. ' The former minister, whose transfer was announced last night by Prime Minister -Mackenzie King, | said these amendments were plan- | ned: 1. "As forecast in December by Prime Minister King, increased al- lowances to disability pensioners and those recplents of war veter- ans' allowances incapable of aug- menting their allowance by casual earnings. 2. Additional protection for the children of veterans by enlarging the definition of an orphan to take in a child with cne parent dead and the other having abandoned it. 3. Extension -of the Veterans' Insurance Act to cover merchant seamen and members of the per- manent force. 4. Amendment of the Veterans' Land Act to allow veterans taking university training to switch to land settlement after a short period of training, At present, those starting university training cannot move into the other category. 5. Another V.L.A. amendment to allow veterans to transfer from University to vocational training. The minister said present restric- tons have proven "prejudicial to proper rehabilitation" in some cases. 6. Functions of the board of re- view, which deals with cases of veterans denied gratuities because of dishonorable discharge woulki be continued within the department when the board itself is dissolved. INCOME TAX 'EVASION' Newark, N.J., Jan. 21--(A)--Two young married women, who admit. | ted they ~»"caught up" with their work in the United States Internal Revenue Department by flushing 400 income tax withholding certifi cates down a toilet basin, were fined $1,000 each yesterday, The court also suspended sentences of one year and a day each on Mrs, Arline Greenspan, 21, and Mrs. Yet ta Tolvin Greenstein, 19, both of Newark, after lecturing. them on their action. 11 DIE IN CRASH Nankiing, Jan. 21--(Reuters) -- Eleven persons were killed and 29 injured when a Peiping-bound Chi- nese National Alrways transport plane crash-landed at a village south of Mukden Airport, a Chi- nese Central News dispatch from Mukden said yesterday. 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