CANADIAN DEFENCE.

Taranaki Daily News, 19 May 1922, Page 5

CANADIAN DEFENCE.

POLICY STATED. OPPOSITION BLOCK ESTIMATES. By Telegraph.—Press Association. Ottawa, May 17. The Government has announced that the Canadian Navy will consist of the destroyers Patriot and Patrician, two smaller vessels and four trawlers, evenly divided on the Atlantic and Pacific coasts as training ships for volunteer sailors on a part time basis. The cruiser Aurora and two submarines will 'be paid off, pursuant to the policy of economy and the decision of the Washington Conference. The Opposition blocked the passage of the naval estimates, following the announcement of the Government policy, which Mr. Meighen said fell short of the moral obligation as an integral part of the Empire. Parliament accepted Britain’s gift of ships and consented to their maintenance. ! Thq Premier, Mr. McKenzie King, said the Government was carrying out Sir Wilfred Laurier’s naval policy of a volunteer navy available to the British Admiralty in an emergency. The late Government accepted the ships which Britain would have scrapped, but which would cost Canada two and a half millions annually. Mr. King consented to an adjournment of the debate.