THE EMPIRE'S NAVY.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LV, Issue 245, 6 March 1913, Page 5

THE EMPIRE'S NAVY.

THE NEW ZEALAND. SOUTH AFRICA'S ATTITUDE. By Cable—Press Association—Copyright. Received 5,0.30 p.m. Capetown, March 5. Ihe captain and officers gave a reception oil board the New Zealand, which was largely attended. One hundred anil fifty of the crew were taken to an aquatic carnival at Camps Day. In the evening the llayor gave a reception at the City Hall, at which many notabilities were present. The Xew Zealand will sail for Simon.-down at daybreak, where the vessel will provision. Nine officers and fifty bluejackets will pay a three days' visit to Johannesburg, where they will be the guests of the municipality. In the Assembly Mr. Silburn moved that the Government should immediately submit proposals for an annual contribution to tlie navy, commensurate with the Union's importance. General Botha proposed, as an amendment, that the House recognises the importance of a full consideration of naval defence, and requests the Government to consult the Motherland. He said that he fully recognised the necessity of defending trade routes, and hoped that it would not, become a party question. It was impossible to bind South Africa to an annual contribution, which was not the best form of assisting the Imperial Government. South Africa had a small population, and its contribution would be merely a drop in the ocean. The Motherland must be held primarily responsible for Imperial defence: bnt he thought that South Africa might maintain a small navy in her own waters.

Mr. Smartt, the leader of the Opposition; agreed that this should he a nonparty question, and accepted General Botha's amendment, upon the understanding that the discussion with the Motherland should he started immediately. He hoped that South Africa would soon follow New Zealand's magnificent example, now that Capetown possessed docks. lie tendered New Zealand his sincere thanks for sending the vessel. *

Mr. Merriman regard Mr. Smartt's speech as dangerous. He was alarmed at the idea of dragging South Africa into an insensate competition in armaments. The whole of Europe had gone mad. Canada had embarked on a dangerous course by having a Minister resident in London, who was a sort of partner, and would be dragged into Great Britain's warlike enterprises. At the same time he recognised that South Africa was in a most humiliating position. She carried on an enormous trade, which was protected without adequate payment. He suggested that tariff preference be abolished, and a certain percentage of the increased revenue, devoted to a more adequate contribution to the British navy. He ridiculed the idea of a South African navy. The debate was adjourned. Received 5, 11.15 p.m. Capetown. March 5. Mr. Merriman added that when attending the conference in London lie was struck with Canada's determination to hoist her own flag. Turning to the Opposition, lie said: ''Don't imagine that you can change events by artificial political arrangements. - ' Challenged to explain himself, Mr. Merriman replied that he could forecast by reading history. The Dutch in the buck benches rapturously applauded Mr. Merriman's deprecation of the schemes of Imperial co-operation. CANADA'S ATTITUDE. VIGOROUS CRITICISM. Received 5, 9.50 p.m. Ottawa. March 5. Mr. Tuiriil' arguled in the navy debate that it was unbecoming that Canada should hire Englishmen to fight in the Dominion's ships. The Government Speaker retorted that Sir Wilfrid Laurier's fleet was too poor to fight and too slow to run away, while no Canadians could be found to man it.