EMPIRE DEFENCE.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1691, 6 March 1913, Page 5

EMPIRE DEFENCE.

CANADA'S NAVY BILL. SOUTH AFRICAN . POLICY. GENERAL BOTHA'S VIEWS. By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright (Rec. March 5, 9.30 p.m.) Ottawa, March 4. Speaking in the Navv debate, Mr. Tairiff (?) argued that it was unbecoming of Canada to hire Englishmen to fight; the Dominions' ships. Speakers on the Government retorted that the Lanrier fleet was too poor to fight and too slow to run away, while 'no Canadians could be found to man it. SOUTH AFRICA AMD THE NAVY. •NOT A PARTY. QUESTION. Cape Town, March 5. Major Silburn, member for Durban, in the House of Assembly, moved that the Government immediately submit proposals for nnifttal contributions to the British Navy commensurate with the Union's importance. General Botha, the Premier, proposed an amendment: "That'this House recognises the importance of n full consideration of the naval defence' problem aiul requests the Government to consult with the Motherland." , •

. General Botha said he fully recognised the necessity for defending the trade routes. He hoped that the question would not become a party one. It would bo impossible, to bind South Africa to an annual contribution, which was not the best form of assisting the Imperial Government. South Africa had a small population, and her contribution' would be merely a drop in the ocean.. The Motherland must be h»ld primarily responsible for Imperial defence, but he thought South Africa might be disposed to place a small navy in her own waters.

Sir Thomas Smartt, leader of the Opposition, agreed that this was a non-party question. He accepted General Botha's amendment upon the understanding that discussions with the Motherland would be started immediately. He hoped thatSouth Africa would soon follow the magnificent example now in Cape Town docks. He tendered New Zealand sincere thanks for sending the vessel.

Tlie Eight Hon. ,T. X. Merriman said that lie regarded Sir Thomas Smartt's speech as a dangerous one.. lie said he was alarmed at the idea of dragging Soutli Africa into the insensate competition iu armaments. The whole .of Europe had gone mad, and Canada had embarked on a dangerous course in" having a Minister resident in London who would be a sort of partner *o Uo dragged into Britnin's warlike enterprises. At the same time, lie recognised that South Africa was in a most humiliating position. She carried on an enormous trade, which was protected without adequate payment. He suggested that the tariff preference he abolished, and a certain percentage of the increased revenue devoted to a more adequate contribution to the British Navy. He ridiculed the idea of n South African navy.

(Rec. March 5, 31.15 p.m.)

Cape Town, Starch 5. . ,Mr. Merrinian attend-j, ing''tiie' 'conference in lie' Was struck with' Canada's determination ,to hoist her own l!ag. Turning to the Opposition, hb saidi "Don't imagine that you can change events by artificial political arrangements." When challenged to explain, Mr. Merriman replied that lie could forecast that by the reading of history.' The Dutch in the back benches rapturously applauded Mr. Merrimnn's'deprccation of the schemes of Imperial co-opera-tion. The debate was, adjourned. . AIRCRAFT REGULATIONS. (Reo. March 5, 11.15 p.m.) London, March. 5., The Home Office has defined eight landing areas for foreign airships, including Brighton, Margate, The Wash, and will not allow aircraft to carry guns; requires two days' notice to Consul, and eighteen liours to Home Office before arrival; permits will be issued to continue the voyage over Britain. The cost of a permit is fixed at GOs. for an airship and 20s. for an aeroplane. The Home Office prescribes smoke shell and red rocket as signals for warning aviators that they arc in prohibited territory, and unless they descend may be fired upon, and are liable to six months' imprisonment and a fine of -£200, and a sentence of seven years if engaged in espionage.

BRITISH TERRITORIALS. London, March i. Field-Marshal Lord Methuen, speaking at Devizes,'in Wiltshire, said he was prepared to follow in Lord Roberts's' footsteps. The Territorials had never had a proper chance. No member of the Cabinet had supported the iWement. It must be made a point of honour with the Qovevnment to make the Territorials efficient to. meet the greatly altered conditions in Europe. He believed that the compulsory Cadet training was acceptable to Englishmen.

GERMANY AND BRITAIN. 1 London, March 4. The "Manchester' Guardian" says that Englishmen do not make enough allowance for Germany's geographical position, Italy's weakening attachment, and Austria's becoming less a Germanic Tower.

"Germany's Army occupies a similar place to that which tho Englishman gives our Navy." If, was, states the "Guardian," ludicrous to describe it lis a Colossus .bestriding Europe.

AT THE GERMAN EMBASSY. London, March 4. Their Majesties the King and Queen dined at the German Embassy.