CANADA'S GIFT.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1617, 7 December 1912, Page 5

CANADA'S GIFT.

' THREE DREADNOUGHTSMR. BORDEN EXPLAINS HIS POLICV. EXCITEMENT IN PARLIAMENT. By Telegraph—Press Association— Copyright Ottawa, December a. There was tremendous excitement in Parliament over the reading of tho Admiralty memorandum of naval policy. The memorandum explained that it had been necessary to weaken tlio British overseas fleets in order to cope witli German expansion, and that aid from Canada would be likely to produce a great effect on the other Powers. In tho spring of 1915, added the memorandum, Great Britain would have twenty-five Dreadnoughts and Germany seventeen. A larger margin of strength would give a greater 1 freedom to the British Fleets in every sea, would increase the security of the Empire, and diminish tho possibility Of attack. Lost Predominance. The British Fleets were predominant in 1900 in every sea, but were now predominant nowhere, except in tho North. Sea, and this despite the greatly increased expenditure on naval defence. In order to secure safety in Home waters the overseas had been denuded of ships. The Admiralty memorandum advocated the building of the best and strongest ships possible on the ground that such timely action would be of tho most service. Absolute Security Needed. The Prime Minister, Mr. Borden, declared that nothing less than the absolute security of .the trade Toutes was sufficient. The Government intended to ask for to provide three battleships of the best possible class. The Canadian Marino Minister would live in London while participation in the control of tho foreign policy was being worked out, becoming a permanent member of the Committee on Imperial Defence. Mr. Borden described the problem as one of combining co-operation with automony. The task of providing for the defence of the ever-growing Empire was becoming increasingly difficult for Great Britain to deal with single-handed, and the Dominions must take a share of the control of the foreign policy, which hitherto had been under Great Britain's exclusive control. In the future it .was Intended to make the Minister for Marine, a permanent member of the Imperial Defence Committee, and he would aot in consultation on all questions of foreign policy.

Powerful Pacific Squadron. Mr. Borden added that the aid Canada proposed to give would enable Great Britain to establish a fleet of battleships and cruisers in the Pacific with a, powerful squadron regularly visiting the Atlantic Coast. The Government was not asking for a system of regular, contributions to the Imperial Navy. The Canadian ships would be controlled by the Royal Navy., Later, if Canada desired control, it could be secured on giving reasonable notice. Great Britain would build tho larger ships, but the smaller vessels and auxiliary cruisers would be built in Canada.

EUROPE'S DREADNOUGHTS. •!THE FLEET'S LOST MOBILITY. (Rec. December 6, 11.25 p.m.) 'j. - Ottawa, December G.. Th« Admiralty memorandum gives tho Dreadnought strength of Europo as follows:— ' N • ' ' ■ . 1912. . 1915. Groat Britain 18 35 Otter nationd 19 51 The memorandum adds that Great 'Britain will be able, by making special arrangements, to send a portion of its fleet to co-operate with the Australian Navy and the China squadron to defend, if necessary, Now Zealand, Australia, and | British Columbia. With the growth of tho Gorman navy and the navies of other Powers, this ability is, however, being greatly restricted, and a greater margin of British superiority would restore the mobility of the fleets and'enable them to pmrd the distant seas in the future as at present. The debate on the proposals has been fixed for Thursday. SCHEME WELL RECEIVED. LITTLE OPPOSITION EXPECTED. (Rec. December 0, 10 p.m.) Ottawa, December 8. Sir Wilfrid Laurier, Leader of the Opposition, congratulated Mr. Borden on tho temperate manner in which he had presented tho Bill. The Liberals were no less devoted to tho Empire's interest than the Conservatives. The Liberals joined with the Government members in singing "Rule Britannia" and "God Save the King." The evening press throughout the Dominion welcomes the policy of tho Liberals in not critioising tho Bill. It is not expected that any material opposition to tho scheme will develop in either the House of Commons or the Senate. Sir Charles Tuppor and Sir George Ross, and other leading statesmen, enthusiastically favour tho now policy. Sir Charles Tupper declared that ho did not expect anything so generous. A LANDMARK IN HISTORY. HIGH COMMISSIONERS' CONGRATULATIONS. (Reo, December 6, 11.25 p.m.) London, December 6. , Sir George Reid, High. Commissioner for Australia, interviewed in reference to Mr. Borden's scheme, 6ays it ia magnificent from every viewpoint, and is an event in tho Empire's history. He looked forward to the time when Canada would follow tho Australian example. Sir George Reid said hq hoped the Empire's Naval programme would soon include stations at various important points maintained by the parts ol the Empire to which they were adjacent. He hoped to 6ee the North Pacific and North Atlantio patrolled by Canadian fleets, as the South Seas would be patrolled by an Australian fleet, and other eeas similarly patrolled, leaving to Great Britain the. Home and Mediterranean defence, with a large share j in tho protection of tho trade routes. This would in no sense bo a weakening of the Imperial foroes, but a necessity of the national growth. Mr. Mackenzie said Mr. Borden's action was right, and he was delighted with tho proposal. He felt strongly that the time had arrived for the fifteen millions dwelling in tho territory outside the United Kingdom to have a voico in Imperial affairs, and he was confident that British statesmanship could devise tho means. BRITISH PRESS COMMENT. THE SPEECH APPLAUDED. (Rec. December 7, 0.15 a.m.) London, December 6. Tho press generally applauds Mr. Borden's policy, although the "Daily News" asks whether there is such urgency T«iuivc» Canada, to abandon its orl* jriA&l ikoa of a. Canadian iinvjj «{ 3?i.atlwj

tho proposal furnishes relief to Britain,

"Tho Times" says Mr. Borden's speech is tho first clear definition ever publicly given by a British statesman of tho lem of Imperial security. With every succeeding year Grdat Britain's relative naval power has steadily declined, but with tile Dominions, if mind and method bo one, British power can lie restored and {Maintained..

Tho "Daily Telegraph" says the speech confirms in tho completest manner tho high hopes raised during Mr. Borden's visit, and marks a turning point in tho Empire's history. NEW ZEALAND'S POSITION. STATEMENT BY THE PREMIER. "IT MAY COST US MORE MONEY." Lawrence, December 6. The Prime Minister (tho Hon. W. F. Massey) and the Hons. J. Allen, W. Fraser, R. H. Rhodes, and Dr. Pomaro, and Messrs. Guthrie, Nosworthy, and other mombers of Parliament spent to-day in Lawrence. At a publio meeting in the evening, the Prime Minister said he wanted to refer to tho question, of defenoe, because ho did not think people of this country could deal with a more important question at the present time than that of the defence, especially the naval defence, of their country. let him explain the position. They had, as ho had told them, a very good scheme of land defence provided for on tho Statute Book. That scheme cost approximately .£500,000 per annum, and tho operation of the Act was in tlio hands and Under the control of experienced and capable meni Tho best lines were being pursued. But about naval defence he was not so well satisfled with their position: Hero was the position in which New Zealand found herself to-day. Their contribution to the Imperial Navy was, roughly, .£250,000 per annum, which included interest and sinking fund on what was termed the New Zealand Dreadnought. One hundred and fifty thousand pounds went for interest and sinking fund for the Dreadnought and d€loo,ooo as the annual contribution. New Zealand was supposed to-day to be under tho protection of what might be termed the Chinese Squadron of tho Imperial Fleet, with its headquarters at Hong-Kong. They are supposed to have in times of peace on the ooast two Bristol cruisers, three torpedo-destroyers, and two submarines. He found no fault with those ships, but they were not fighting ships as compared with a battleship or first-class armoured cruiser. So'far as it was possible to judge they wore ships which • were to protect their harbours, their coasts, and their trade routes. Ho had received that afternoon, by the kindness of a journalistio friend, a copy of a cablegram which had that day come from Canada to Now Zealand. Mr. Massey then read the cablegram respecting tho Canadian naval proposals. He did not think that ,£2,350,000 would provide three battleships of the first-class, and it seemed to him there was an error there. He thought tho opinion of his audience, and it agreed with his own, was that what Canada was proposing to do was simply splendid. (Applause.) Canada had risen to the occasion in a magnificent manner, and he could not express it in any other terms. (Applause.) The Hon. Mr. Allen was going to England. He knew the minds of his colleagues on naval defence, and he would have an opportunity of conferring with the Imperial liilvol authorities in Britain. The members of the New Zealand Government had Enowa that those negotiations were going on between Britain and Canada, and he Was delighted at tho result. Mr. Allen would represent Now Zealand at any conferences with the Imperial authorities at Home, and knowing his - Imperial sentiments, he (Mr. Massey) had no hesitation in saying that the Government had the utmost .confidence in him, and) that he would represent the Dominion/worthily and well. (Applause.) When Mr. Allen came back to New Zealand the New Zealand Government would be able to declare its policy from a naval point of view, and ho asked tho people to have patience and wait until then. But here was tho position. Canada had done its duty. One of the nations bordering on the Pacific, Australia, was doing its duty in its own way, and it 'remained for New Zealand to do its duty. It ■might cost ub more money—it probably would—hut if ever the Now Zealand Goveminent found it necessary to aslc the people for more money foT the purpose of naval defence—for the purpose of protecting our coasts and our harbours, and our trade routes—he was certain the people of New Zealand 'would respond in a manner worthy of themselves, worthy of Britishers, and worthy of the occasion. (Applause,)