DEFENCE OF EMPIRE.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXV, Issue 51, 1 March 1913, Page 5

DEFENCE OF EMPIRE.

THE CANADIAN NAVY. (By Electric Telegraph.—Copyright.' (United Press Association.) Ottawa, February 28. In the naval debate Mr Knowles declared that Australia alone was faithfully carrying out the agreement with the Admiralty made in 1910. Would Canada do the same in addition to the present contribution- The Opposition ought to force a plebiscite and get the real opinion of the country. THE AUSTRALIAN NAVY. Melbourne, February 28. Commenting on the Morning Post’s statement that the Australian navy has no official status, Mr Pearce says that the officers are included in the Imperial Navy list. “Our commissions,” ho says, “are recognised in England. Any domestic arrangementswith the Imperial Government do not I concern outside nations. Our navy forms one part of the great Imperial [ fleet. All the details were decided I in 1911, and the agreements meets all contingencies. I cannot see any difficulties.”

AERIAL WARFARE. (Received 8.5 a.m.) London, February 28. The Daily Telegraph demands that the Exchequer provide one million sterling for a constructive aerial programme. SOLDIERING AND SPORT. The Oxford Magazine declares that soldiering is as irrelevant to degrees as rowing and football, and could only be enforced by the formidable usurpation of the rights of the subjects. APPEAL TO THE GOVERNMENT. London, February 28.. The National Defence Association has sent a memorial to Mr Asquith, urging the Government to take the nation into its confidence and furnish a plain statement of the defence problem. It regrets that the Defence Committee is concentrating its attention on the invasion problem, and suggests that it is desirable that the committee should investigate and define the whole military situation overseas and at home. The memorial expresses doubt as to the ability, of the Territorials to cope with home defence. COMPULSORY TRAINING. (Per Press Association.) Christchurch, February 28. At a meeting of the Canterbury Women’s Social and Political League tonight the Defence Act was discussed, and the following motion was adopted unanimously:—“That while strongly deprecating war, and looking forward to the time when all international disputes shall bo settled by. peaceful means, the Canterbury Women’s Social and Political League recognises that under present conditions, and in view of possible contingencies it is necessary that every young man should be trained to defend himself, his I homo, and his country, and is of opinion that the Defence Act is an honest endeavour on the part of the legislators to meet the requirements of the Dominion in case of invasion.

CANADIAN NAVAL BILL. (Received 12.45 p.m.) Ottawa, February 28. The second reading of the Naval Bill passed with a majority of JO votes. Mr Borden (Premier) promised that a permanent naval policy would be submitted to the people at the general elections. Whether the policy would involve a fleet for the Pacific, he would be unable to say until the Cabinet formulated a policy.