LUNCHEON TO MR ALLEN.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXV, Issue 60, 12 March 1913, Page 6

LUNCHEON TO MR ALLEN.

THE THANKS OF THE IMPERIAI

GOVERNMENT.

(By Electric Telegraph.—Copyright Press Association.)

(Received 11.15 a.m.) London, March 11

The Hon. Thos. Mackenzie, Higli Commissioner, gave a lunca to the Hon. James Allen, at which Sir George Reid, Sir William Buchanan, Sir ItSir William H all-Jones, Lord Blyth, Messrs Cathcart, Wason and Chappie, M.P.’s, and many Now Zealanders were present. Mr Allen emphasised the value of oversea trade to tho Motherland. Without depreciating foreign trade, he said, it was better for the Motherland to roly on the trade of her own people. There was a lot of talk about Empire during the last few years, but now was tho time to act. The matter was urgent. Prominent politicians should visit tho Overseas Dominions to learn something about the Empire. . Sir William Buchanan regretted that there had been little improvement in handling meat during the last 20 years. He admitted the remedy was a difficult one.

Rt. Hon. Lewis Harcourt (Secretary of State for the Colonies), in proposing the Hon. Mr Mackenzie’s health, said tho Government was grateful for Mr Allen’s assistance and advice in matters of defence. No Englishman would forget New Zealand’s part in Empire defence. He wished Sir William Hall-Joues bon voyage.

; 1 CANADA’S NAVAL DEBATE. — : (Received 8.15 a.m.) Ottawa, March 11. During the debate, Mr Gordon produced Mr Churchill’s memorandum showing that the cost of the construction of warships in Canada was prohibitive. The increase in the cost was not \ less than twenty-five to thirty per cent.. The construction of a battleship by a Canadian plant would cost' fifteen million sterling, and would require five years to erect. Such an outlay was only justified if Canada decided to build a number of first-class battleship yearly. Ho emphasised the great difficulty Britain was experiencing in manning her fleet, since Germany had made an increase in the‘number of her ships. If Canada established two units, one in the Atlantic arid in the Pacific, -too many men would be required to be taken from the British forces, and the strain would become greater than the Admiralty could likely meet.