CANADIAN POLICY.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1533, 31 August 1912, Page 5

CANADIAN POLICY.

RIVAL LEADERS' VIEWSREMARKABLE SPEECH BY LATE PREMIER. MAD RACE FOR ARMAMENTS. By Telesra-Dll—Prcßs Association—Copyright Ottawa, August 29. A speech made by Sir Wilfrid Laurier, leader of tlio Canadian Opposition, at the luncheon given at Ottawa to British linanciers, is attracting attention. Sir Wilfrid Laurier declared that a Gorman peril did not exist, and that lie did not Ijelievo that England was in any danger, 110 deprocatod tho mad racc for armaments, and thanked God that tho American Continent was exempt. He also deprecated organic Imperial union, because the problems in different parts of tho Empiro were too diverse. "INDIFFERENT SNEERS." SII? W. LAURIEP.'S ARGUMENT RIDICULED. (Rec. August .10, 10.30 p.m.) London, August 30. Tho "Daily Mail" ridicules Sir Wilfrid Lauder's argument that Canada docs not require a stronger protection than arbitration, and adils, "We have just seen how a Government may strive to frustrate even tho limited and fecblo efforts of the arbitration convention between tho United States and Britain." Tho "Horning Post" says that the speech shows that Sir Wilfrid Laurier and the official Oppbsition in Canada aro opposed both to the co-operation and consultation which Mr. Asqnith recommends. ' "Indeed," adds tho "Post," "tho speech can only bo described as hostile to British naval policy. Is it nothing to Canada that Hie British fleet protects Canada's ports and commcrce, unci her argosies of grain? Must we Ire repaid be- ■ sides by indifferent sneers? Sir Wilfrid Laurier must be reminded that a league of partners for common defcncc is not the surrender, but the insurance, of autonomy." MR. BORDEN'S MISSION. CONDITIONS OF 'NAVAL DEFENCE. (Rec. August 30, 10.20 p.m.) London, August 30. Mr. Borden, Prime Minister of Canada, in a statement to tlie press on the eve of his departure for Canada to-day, expressed his grateful appreciation of tho welcome extended to the Canadian Ministers, and said he trusted to revisit Britain at an early date. The Imperial Ministers had received them in tho most cordial way, and Empire defence was discussed with mutual frankness. The stress of the session had prevented tho Canadian Ministers from receiving full and final information respecting tho conditions of naval defence as affecting tho Empire, but they expected to receive this shortly after their return when tho Canadian Cabinet would speedily consider tho position. Mr. Borden denied that Sir Wilfrid Laurier had declined to meet him in conference with certain British Ministers for the very good reason that he had not been asked and for tho further reason, that no visit of British Ministers to Canada had yet been arranged.