CANADA AND THE EMPIRE

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LV, Issue 89, 31 August 1912, Page 5

CANADA AND THE EMPIRE

MR. BORDEN'S FAREWELL. Hy Cable.—Press Association—Copyright Received 30, 10.20 p.m. London, August 30. Mr. Borden, in a statement to the press on the eve of sailing to-day, expressed his grateful appreciation of the welcome extended to the Canadian Ministers. He trusts that he will early revisit Britain. The Imperial Ministers had received them in the most cordial manner, and the Empire and defence were discussed with mutual frankness. The stress of the session prevented the Canadians receiving full and final information respecting the conditions of naval defence affecting the Empnre. They expected to receive these shortly after their return, when the Canadian Cabinet would speedily consider them. He denied that Sir W. Laurier had declined to meet him in conference with certain British Ministers, for the very good reason that he had not been asked to; and, as a further reason, no visit of British Ministers to Canada had yet been arranged. SIR W. LAURIER'S SPEECH. HOSTILE NEWSPAPER CRITICISM. London, August 30. The Mail ridicules Sir W. Laurier'saa- t gument that Canada does not require stronger protection than arbitration. It adds: "We have just seen how a Government may strive to frustrate even limited and feeble efforts at an arbitration convention between the United States and Britain." The Morning Post says that the speech shows that Sir W. Laurier and the official Opposition are opposed, both to the co-operation and consultation which Mr. Asquith recommends. Indeed, the speech can only be described as hostile to the British naval policy. Is it nothing to Canada that the British fleet protects Canada's ports, commerce and argosies of grain? Must; we be repaid besides with indifferentness? Sir W. Laurier must be reminded that the League are partners in the common defence. It is not surrender, but the insurance of autonomy."