SPEECH BY MR. CHURCHILL.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1534, 2 September 1912, Page 5

SPEECH BY MR. CHURCHILL.

THE MARGIN OF SECURITY. STATEMENTS BY MR. BALFOUR AND MR. ASQUITH. In tho recent debate in the Houso of Commons on Britain's naval policy, Mr. Winston Churchill, First Lord of the Admiralty, said:—lt has beon a sourco of comfort and encouragement during these Jast few weeks to havo had by our sido the Prime Minister and other Ministers of tho Dominion of Canada. It has been like a touch of the hand of o strong friend when serious business has to bo done. All tho world 19 arming as it has never armed before, and we have to face simultaneous building by many nations of great modern ships of wan Wo have to protect from danger and alarm Dominions and territories scattered over every continent and across every ocean. Well do wo understand tho truth of Mr. Borden's words, "Tho day of peril is too late for preparation." There is an earnest disposition on the part of tho Dominions to tako a more active sharo in the defence of the Empire. Tho time has now como when we ought to mako ■ that disposition effective. The, moral effect of Buoh a co-operation cannot be measured. The unity of the British Empire carries with it tho safety of its component parts, and the safety of the British Empire carries with it the peace of thu world. It is our duty to acknowledge the important 'aid already given by tho progress of tho Australian Fleet, and as it develops it facilitates fleet organisation by releasing a number of men hitherto maintained in Australian waters for service nearer home. I have already referred to the magnificent gift of New Zealand, and now Canada has come' forward. Mr. Borden and his colleagues anthorise me to say that anything Canada ■ does to meet immediate future requirements will be dono quite independent of a permanent naval arrangement and will be in addition to the existing British programme. Any stop Canada may take will directly strengthen the naval forces of the Empire and ndd to tho margin of .security. Mi'. Borden also told mo that the action of tho Dominion would not bo unworthy of the dignity and power of Canada. Mr. Balfour's Speech. Mr. Balfour said he could not help feeling how greatly tho whole situation had altered since the present Government camo into office: Germany steadily an.l remorselessly hod been adding year by year to tho number of her ships and men. Jf the Government had been as wise a fow years earlier as now wo might have been spared some of tho cost and some of tho anxiety which it was impossible now to avoid. Though we groan under the magnitude of this expenditure, though wo must look forward with little' less than dismay to a burden- which is now 12 millions more fluui it was when tho present Government came into office, he could eoe that the Estimates arc goins; largely to increase whatever Government is in power. They aro going to increase, and they must inerraso as long as the insanb competition in shipbuilding goes on. Wo at nil events have this consolation. We do not build for ambition. Wo build for peace and security, and so long as we build lor peaco and security f.o lons shall we have l.» ,; ind us tlm nniniou of the great Domin-

ions, of all tho smaller States in Europe, and that of the enlightened bulk of mankind. If wo can tccuro peace, even at this sacrifice, wo shall have done great things in our generation. i

Mr. Asquith and the Dominions. Mr. Asquith said: Wo arc most reluctant competitors in. this naval race. It is not provoked by ns. We enteral into it at' enormous cost, not, 1 may oven say, as free agents, but under tho compulsion of circumstances. Wo justify this expenditure, much as ive regret it, for two reasons only. It is in the first place to maintain the security of our shores, otiv Dominions, and our commerce, and in the next place to ensure tho peace of the world. I deprecate anything in the nature of a panic, or scare, because I don't think there is the least occasion for it, but it is of tho utmost importance that we should see clearly what is likely to happen, and that we 'should provide in time for our own part in tho dischnrgo of our owii responsibility. (Opposition cheers.)