CANADA AND EMPIRE.

Dominion, Volume 3, Issue 797, 21 April 1910, Page 5

CANADA AND EMPIRE.

OPTION OF WAR. SIR W- LAURIER DEFENDS HIS POSITIONWARS IN WHICH CANADA SHOULD NOT JOIN. By Telegraph—Press Associatlon-Oopyrlcht (Rec. April 20. 9.55; p.m.) Ottawa, April 20. During the discussion, in tbs Committee stages of the Canadian Navy Bill, the Opposition oriticised Canada's purchase from the Admiralty of the cruiser Niobc, 11,000 tons. The Opposition critics claimed that the Niobe was expensive and obsolete..,/ The Prime Minister, Sir Wilfrid Laurier, stated that the ■ cost was 1i075,000 dollars (.£215,000), and that the cruiser was admirably suited for training 425 .men and 40 officers. Mr. B. A. Borden, Leader of the Oppor sition, discussing the clause providing that the Canadian' Navy shall not go into aotive service without the order of the Governor-in-Council, stated that -the Canadian vessels would be unable to defend themselves, and would be forced to fly a neutral flag or to strike tho British flag. Either oourse would mean instant separation from the Empire. . • Sir Wilfrid Laurier replied that Britain in the past had engaged in many wars which were not of such a- character that Canada could justly take part in.them. He instanced; the, Crimean War and the Egyptian war of 1881. ''"But," he added, "if Britain were seriously endangered, a wave of enthusiasm would sweep the Empire, and'the whole, of Canada's fleet and resources would be placed at the disposal of the Mother Country."

WHY KITCHENER DID NOT GO TO CANADA. WOULD NOT .DEFER TO OTTAWA. (Reo. April 20, 10.40, p.m.) London, April 20. The Ottawa correspondent of . the "Daily Chronicle" reports that correspondence between. ~ Field-Marshal . Lord Kitchener, and Sir Frederick Borden (Canadian Minister for Militia) with reference to defence' will. shortly be laid on the table' of' the Dominion House of Commons.'

'it is semi-officially stated . that Lord Kitchener did not find himself wholly in agreement with the, Canadian' Government,' hence he changed his route and decided not, to vi6it,Canada.