NAVAL DEFENCE.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1653, 21 January 1913, Page 5

NAVAL DEFENCE.

I NEED FOR A CONFERENCE. VIEWS OF "THE TIMES." ■ Bt Teltencli—Pren Association—CoDyrlsht (Reo. January 20, 11.35 p.m.) London, January 20. "Tho Times" states that Sir Wilfrid Lauricr's naval proposals are not unpopular, and Canadians approve them as a sequel rather than as an alternative to Mr. Borden's immediate holp. Doubtless; Sir. Allen, the New Zealand Defence Minister, whoso arrival in London will bo welcomed, will approve of Mr. Fisher's desire for a conference at Vancouver; The need for a conference has been greatly reinforced by the fact that all the members of the lasti Defence Conference, except Australia, have tacitly departed from the principles then laid down. . ■ '

The Admiralty waS rightly pre-occupiod with. tho immediate needs of the situation, but it would endanger its reputation in the Dominions -if it concentrated exclusively on the circumstances, of the moment, and on European affairs solely. The shortcomings of Mr. Churchill's predecessor had compelled the Government to include the H.M.S. New Zealand in the. Navy's European strength, but it was now obvious that a sixth ship must bo laid down to replace her.

In tho debate on the Canadian Naval J3ill, Sir Wilfrid Laurier, the ex-Premier, moved an amendment, the proposals or which, while not touching the money contribution of v .£7,000,000 for three Dreadnoughts, provided for two Canadian fleet units to bo manned and maintained by Canada, and ready to go in time of emergency to the aid of Great Britain. The .ex-Premier attacked the main basis of the Government proposals by declaring that the . Admiralty Memorandum showed no emergency and no danger. The nations of the world had been building up navies, and England could no longer maintain her former supremacy in all the seas. What, ! then, was the duty of Canada? Canada had to' take, her share of tho defence not only of her own shores but of tho Empire. She should do as Australia | had done. She should build, equip,.man, and maintain a navy of her own,' and such a fleet should, ii.the need 1 arose, be concentrated in British waters. Leu young nations of the Empire build their own fleets. That was not a separa-; tist policy. When; England was at war i thoy were at war,, though they would not actually engage in conflict unless the Canadian > Government so decided. As for the question whether Canada should have a voice in deciding on peace or war, that must be settled separately.