IMPERIAL DEFENCE

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXVII, Issue 8356, 17 February 1913, Page 8

IMPERIAL DEFENCE

CANADA’S OFFER MR FEILDING DISCLAIMS INTRIGUE WITH RADICALS. By Telegraph—Press Association—Copynghi LONDON, February 15. The Hon. W. S. Feilding, in a letter to the “ Daily Telegraph,” stated that he had not heard of, and had not met, the Radicals accused of intriguing to embarrass the Canadian Government. He was not offered any view by English Parliamentarians on the naval question. EXPENDITURE AUTHORISED. OTTAWA, February 15. The Liberals abandoned their intention of obstructing the Navy Bill. Resolutions authorising the,, expenditure were carried, and the second reading was carried by a straight party vote. The Prime Minister, Mr Borden, emphasised that the policy was the direct outcome of the Admiralty’s wishes, and was the only policy giving what the Motherland really stood in need of. The Liberals, if in power to-morrow, would never carry out Sir Wilfrid Laurier’s scheme. UNIVERSAL TRAINING LORD ROBERTS WANTS TO AROUSE PATRIOTISM. (Received February 16, 5.5 p.m.) LONDON, February 16. Lord Roberts speaking at Bristol, said that he did not want to arouse an aggressive jingo spirit. Peace, not war, was hiS earnest desire. He wishand to arouse, foster ; and develop a more manly and patriotic spirit in the nation, and to induce the youth to guard their heritage. Lord Roberts said that universal training would discourage the swashbuckling tendencies and ambitions of military caste. Nobody could suggest that the overseas’ system was making the Dominions bellicose or aggressive. Lord Roberts repudiated the idea that a compulsory force would be used to repress strikes. If the Labour Government of Australia did not fear this, the wage-earners of England had no reason to entertain it. Lord Roberts appealed for funds to enable the National Service League to maintain its crusade. Mr Feilding. Canadian ex-Minister of Finance, who went to England after the introduction of Mr Borden’s .Naval Bill, denied that he was organising opposition to the Bill, although he admitted having had repeated conferences with the Radicals. , . The "Daily Telegraph declared that a considerable body of Radicals was lobbying in the House of Commons in the hope of embarrassing the Canadian Government. He added:: —"Not content with subterraneous methods, they interviewed Mr Asquith and Mr Churchill with the object of prevailing upon them to alter their attitude towards Canada’s proposal. The paper deprecated the slightest suggestion of interference with oversea affairs. “It is deplorable that at the moment of our Imperial awakening such intrigues should exist."