EMPIRE DEFENCE.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 9690, 14 January 1910, Page 5

EMPIRE DEFENCE.

CANADA AND HER NAVY. United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph Copyright. Received January 13, 10 p.m. OTTAWA, January 13. Sir Wilfrid Laurier has introduced in the Canadian House of Commons a Naval Service Act, which is on the lines of the Canadian Militia Act, including a permanent force reserve and a volunteer force. No naval conscription is provided for; the force to he under the administration of the Marine Department, but under the immediate control of the Naval Controller, advised by the Naval Board. Pensions are provided for, and a Naval College is to be established similar to the Royal Military Coflege. The Kingston fleet is to be composed of four ships of the Bristol class, one of the Boadicea type, and six improved river destroyers, the total cost to be £2.308,000, and 22 per cent, extra if constructed in Canada The first year's appropriation of three million dollars is announced. The Government intended to begin building in Canada as soon as possible. In case of emergency the Government may by order of the Council place the fleet at the King's disposal for the general Royal Navy. If action is taken when Parliament is not sitting it must be summoned within fifteen days. Received January 14, 10.30 p.m. OTTAWA, January 13. Speaking on the Canadian Bill, Mr T. S. Sproule raised the question whether emergency meant war in Canada or abroad. Sir Wilfrid Laurier replied that it meant war anywhere. If Britain was at war with any nation in "the world Canada would be liable to invasion, and when Britain ij at war Canada is at war.

Mr Borden, leader of the Opposition, in a remarkable speech, twitted Sir Wilfrid Laurier with still holding views in favour of a Canadian independence. He had s,hown this in his recent declaration that the pro posed navy should not go to war unless the Canadian .Parliament chose to send it. This declaration meant the complete severance of every tie now binding Canada to the Empire, but before the flag was lowered on the Canadian soil nome millions of Canadians would know the ; reason why. Mr Borden contrasted Canada's action with that of Australia and New Zealand, which responded fully to the Admiralty's suggestion for fleet units, while Canada hedged. Australasia's response, in proportion to its population, was seven times that of Canada.

Mr Borden, continuing, said that Sir Wilfrid Laurier's proposals were too much tor experiment and too little for the immediate effective and ! the speediest organisation would not make the navy effective before fifteen | years. The crisis would come within five years. The possibility of war with Germany was very real. Germany had boldly challenged Britain's supremacy of the ocean, and Britain had no right to resent the challenge. If the Germans prove themselves the greater race they were entitled to supremacy of the sea and land. German naval supremacy without firing a shot would bring the British Empire to an end, and if Canada was true to herself she would not fail on the day the Empire was in peril, but stand in the forefront with her sister nations. "We have the resources/' said Mr Borden, "and I trust that patriotism will provide a fleet unit or at least a Dreadnought without a moment's unnecessary delay. This is our duty to the country and Empire.