DEFENCE OF THE EMPIRE.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXIV, Issue 93, 14 December 1912, Page 8

DEFENCE OF THE EMPIRE.

THE CANADIAN KLEE’I

(By Electric Telegraph.—Copyright.) (United Press Association.) Ottawa, December 12. Sir Wili’id Banner, in his first pronouncement on Mr. Borden’s naval policy, said that it was un-Canadian and un-British. He suggested, instead, a purely Canadian fleet, with super-Dreadnoughts as a central unit, huilt and manned by Canada. The fleet would always lie ready to aid Britain. After Sir W. Laurier had concluded, tfie House sang “Hide .Britan-

Air. Borden read the memorandum from Air. Churchill, stating that it was impossible now to build Dreadnoughts in Canada. The Admiralty, however, would let contracts for the naval vessels of a smaller size to Canadian shipbuilders. Sir W. Laurier argued that the necessity for Britain guarding the coasts by the withdrawal of her fleets gave Canada an opportunity to guard her own coasts with her own fleet, similarly to Australia.

A NON-PARTY QUESTION. “WHAT DO WE OWE ENGLAND?” Ottawa, December 13. Sir. Wilfrid Laurier said that he welcomed a proposition to take the navy question out of politics. It was now too late, however, as the Conservatives insisted on making a party question cl it. He alleged that at last election, on hundreds of platforms in Quebec, the question, “What do we owe to England?” was answered by shouts of “Nothing!”

The Opposition speakers vigorously decried Sir W. Laurier’s statement. WHAT CANADA WILL DO. (Received 8.0 a.m.) Ottawa, December 13. Sir Wilfrid Laurier asserted that it was necessary for Canada to beware of the Monroe Doctrine. She had to take her share of the defence of the Empire as Veil as her own shores, but Mr. Borden in his policy did not show a way to secure this. When the Empire was at war, Canada was at war, but necessarily in conflict. Hie Admiralty could count at all times on the Canadian Navy, because ar agreement was made early in 1011 whereby the naval area in the North Atlantic would be placed under the Canadian fleet to defend. If that area was invaded the Canadian fleet would light immediately. The same applied to the Pacific area.