CANADA'S NAVAL POLICY.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1761, 28 May 1913, Page 6

CANADA'S NAVAL POLICY.

The Canadian Naval Bill has reached a very interesting stage. It has been passed by the House of Commons, and it now remains to be seen what its fate will be in the Senate, whero the Opposition lias a majority. . The' provisions of the Bill are as follow: —

His Majesty, by and with tlio advice and consent of the Senate and the House of Commons of Canada, enacts as follows: —From and out of She Consolidated Revenue Fund of Canada thcro may be paid and applied a sum'not exceeding 35,00U,000 dollars, for tho purpose of immediately increasing the effective naval forces of tho Empire.

Tho said sum shall be used and applied under the direction of the Govcrnor-in-Council in the construction and equipment of battleships or armoured cruisers of the most modern and powerful type. The said ships, when constructed and equipped, shall lie placed by tho Governor--in-Council at the disposal of his Majesty for tho common defence of the Empire. The said sum shall be paid, used, and applied', and the said ships bo constructed and placed at the disposal of his Majesty,' subject to terms, conditions, and arrangements to be agreed upon between the Governor-ih-Council and his Majesty's Government.

According to a cablegram which we publish in another column, it is understood that tho Senate will return the Bill to the House of Commons with a recommendation that it should'he submitted to the people, and that the House will reject the recommendation, and send the Bill hack to the Senate. It is believed that the Opposition will then allow the measure to pass. The answer of the Prime Minister (Mk. Borden) to the suggestion that the proposals should be submitted to the people is' that the electors have already sanctioned the Government's naval policy, as before the last election lie urged that the Admiralty should be consulted, and that effect should he given to their advice without delay, Mr. Bonpi>N therefore, contends that the people have already

pronouneed upon the question with no uncertain voice, and do not deKin.' to have it again submitted to them. It was iiL one time thought thai; (ho Senate would make a strenuous fight against the Bill, but such a course now seems unlikely, as it would probably precipitate a movement for the reform of the Upper Chamber, which is said to be very unpopular, and not at all inclined to come, to grips with the liouse of Commons. The opinion of the Ottawa correspondent of the London Montiihj I'oxl is that the object of the (Opposition is not to resist this particular measure, but to force, an election, there lx:ing a political theory in Canada th.'it a parly which has been ejected from office* as the Canadian Liberals have been, must defeat its opponents within the next two or three years, or give up hope, of getting back to power for a decade or more. As all the efforts of the Opposition lo bring about an appeal to the people have failed, the general opinion seems to bo that the conflict is now nearly over, and that the Senate will pass the Bill without forcing the Government to take extreme measures. ,