LOCAL NAVIES.

Dominion, Volume 3, Issue 638, 15 October 1909, Page 7

LOCAL NAVIES.

ATTACK ON LABOUR PARTY'S MOTIVES ■ FUTURE USES,: TO EMBARRASS GREAT BRITAIN, ■. (By,/l'clcßroph—Press 'AuDciatlan-Cbpr'rlstat.i Melbourne, October 14. ' In the Federal Houso of Representatives, during the dobato oh the Defence Bill, a remarkable speech was mode by Mr. W. E. Johnson, member / for Lanjj. New' South Waies (Sihgle-taxcr, Free-trader,'. and Liberal); i'ho. speaker declared that a.certain section of the community were anxious to see an Australian Navy, because they could see a possible chance, at some future time, of , perhaps using that navy, to. embarrass Great Britain, .under' certain conditions;, Utterance had been made use of.in this country which admitted of no other conclusion.

Mr. Johnson proceeded to attack the loyalty of th? Labour' Party and its newspapers. ■'■

[Mr. W. E., Johnson, prior to entering the Federal House of Representatives, had a rather 'varied carcor,'though he is still only 47 years of age. Ho was born at Newcastle-on-'fyne, and .was educated privately. Ho assisted his father as a scenic, artist at Corent Garden Theatre, London, studied ' telegraphy and entered the civil• service as telegraph . operator at the Royal Exchange, London, resigned to become a' midshipman, went to sea, was wrecked on three occasions, land passed the .examination for second, mate. He resumed his profession as a scenio artist in tho [United States, and subsequently beca'tno a journalist, again -went to sea, and saw active 6orvice in. tho ChilePoruvian War.. Ultimately he settled in Sydney, and took an active interest in municipal dud political questions for some. years prior to entering tho Federal Parliament as representative for Lang division :in 1903.. Ho took a, prominent part in the Single Tax movement at .its inception in Australia, was (in association with others) instrumental in prevailing upon the latq Henry George to. visit Australia, and accompanied that gentleman on his Australian'lecturing tour.] . HARLAND AND WOLFF IN CANADA. •:■•■■.:': ■;;:.; SHIPYARD SCHEME. . : ".' " . •'.■:■. (Rec. October H, 9.45.p.m.) ■■•": Ottawa, October 14.... • The, .Ottawa "Citizen" states, that- Messrs! Harland,,and Wolff,-the Belfast shipbuilders, whose representative has been investigating on the St.-Lawrence,..propose to. expend 7,000,000 dollars ■ (about in building'a dry dock; and shipyard at Quebec. , ;' ' ■,Tho >Citizen" adds that the Govornment has doubtless gnaranteed : the issue of bonda, and will "possibly, give ; other. financial.' assistarico. ■Harlahd's will bo prepared to build the Canidian'Navy. . •'..:■ ■. ■ ■■.>•■-.. :