DEFENCE OF THE EMPIRE.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXVI, Issue 11, 17 May 1913, Page 5

DEFENCE OF THE EMPIRE.

DOMINIONS’ RESPONSIBILITIES. [By Electric Telegraph— Copyright] [United Press Association.] London, May 16. The Rev. Thomas Lawrence, lecturer at King’s College, speaking on the colonies and international law, strenuously opposed the in-and-out character of empire theory. He contended that a Dominion proclaiming itself neutral in wartime should he compelled to enforce neutrality against the Motherland, and not allow the passage of British.troops or permit British ships to use its harbors. No Power at war with England would forego the right to consider the whole Empire an enemy, and and capture where it He concluded that the Empire must stand or fall together, emphasising that while the Dominions were allowed to arrange commercial treaties, they were technically made by the Foreign Office.

CANADA’S NAVY. Ottawa, May 16. Sir W. Laurier, in his final speech in tho navy debate, said that it was a hollow mockery to say that an emergency existed in Great Britain, necessitating additional battleships in the North Sea; yet Mr Churchill had deliberately decided to place the Canadian ships, not in the North Sea, but at Gibraltar. The Nationalists could now rest in peace, because their sons would not be disembowelled while the warships remained under the shelter of the guns at Gibraltar. This was a great triumph for the Nationalists and the Borden Government. (Received 8.5 a.m.) Ottawa, May 16. Sir Wilfrid Laurier asserted that it was a mistake to think Mr Borden’s policy was more acceptable to the Admiralty than the Liberals’. The Admiralty always favored contributions, but the Canadians did not desire this. The Australians abandoned contributions, believing in the formation of her own navy, and Canada’s attitude was similar. Sir Wilfrid Laurier denied that the Liberals’ policy was one of separation. Tho gratitude they owed to the Empire for the present liberties which they enjoyed prevented this. The House adopted the third reading of the Navy Bill, the voting being—for 101, against 68.

THE DOMINION’S DEFENCE. Auckland, May 16. General Godley, interviewed, said the system of land defences indicated by Mr James Allen were meant, no doubt, primarily as views which he, as a citizen, held. The army was now 23,000 strong, and hy 1916 would he 30,000, the full strength allowed by Parliament. He anticipated that by 1916 this army would be extremely well trained. The forts were well equipped both w ith guns and men, and the staffing of the permanent artillery had been increased lately from 265 to 315 men. WEATHER FORECAST. The Government Meteorologist (Rev i). C. Bates) telegraphed this afternoon as follows : The indications fare for variable and moderate breezes, but westerly prevailing. The weather will probably be cool and changeable. The night will probably be very cold with frost inland. Tho barometer is unsteady, but has a rising tendency.