CANADA AND THE NAVY

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 1963, 21 January 1914, Page 7

CANADA AND THE NAVY

DEBATE IN DOMINION PARLIAMENT. "ENGINEERED PANICS." By Tetesrash—trera Association— Copyrisl.t (Roc. January 20, O.'IO p.m.) Ottawa, January 20. Speaking in the Address-in-licply debate in the Dominion House ot Commons, Sir Wilfrid Laurier (Leader of the Opposition) said that the absence of any mention of a Naval Hill in the Speech from the Throne, entirely justified the Liberals in the action they had taken to ensure its defeat last session. The speaker declared that he was an ardent Imperialist, but, with him, autonomy in Canada came first. Last session's Naval Bill, continued Sir Wilfrid Laurier, was founded merely upon expediency. Anglo-Gorman relations, as Lord Haldauc had declared, when recently in Canada, were really cordial. A Hood of light had since been thrown on the emergency question, and it was now clear that e.n attempt had been made to engineer a panic for the sole benefit of the armour-plate manufacturers, in order that they might obtain a fat contract. Tho German peril had disappeared, but a peril remained which all Canadians must face, namely, the high cost of living. That really was a question of emergency. Business throughout Canada was oil an unsatisfactory basis, and he (the speaker) did not regard tho future with confidence.

Mr. Borden (the Prime Minister), replying to Sir Wilfrid Laurier, said that if the Liberals chose to make the Senate's action a political issue, the Conservatives were ready to meet them. Canada had less control over the Upiwr Chamber than had aitv Dominion within the Empire. Mr. Borden quoted German newspapers to show how the Senate's action had heen misunderstood. He did not think they ought to allow tlie Senate to again bring discredit upon Canada's good name. The Government whs quite firm in its attitude, and would provide tlirce capital ships when it could do co.