CANADIAN OFFER

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXI, Issue 10713, 9 December 1912, Page 5

CANADIAN OFFER

CABLE NEWS

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TO THE IMPERIAL NAVY,

NEWSPAPER OPINION. #

(Received Last Night, 5.5 o'clock.) LONDON. December 7. The Times, referring to the enthusiastic scenes in the Canadian House of Representatives, a.t the conclusion of the Premier's speech, in which he 1 offered to provide Dreadnoughts for ; the Imperial Navy, recalls a scene ira the New South Wales' Assembly a quarter of a century ago, on the occasion of the passing of the late Sir j Henry Parkes' Additional Naval , 1' orce Bill. The newspaper. Nation, states that , Mr Borden makes it quite clear that 1 the gift has been made on condition | that Canada obtains a seat on the Im- ' perial Defence Committee, and a share in the control of the Foreign Policy, and is enabled to withdraw the Dreadnoughts when they are wantjed by Canada. The Mother CounJ try and Canada should, it says, therefore hesitate before entering upon such a path.

SOUTH AFRICA

ANXIOUS TO TAKE THE RIGHT COURSE.

(Received Last Night, 5.5 o'clock. V CAPETOWN, Decernber 7. General 'Botha, Prime Minister, states that there is no need for nervousness. The naval question, so far as Africa was concerned, would, he hoped, be put right soon. Public opinion was divided as to whether Africa should continue her contribution to tbe Navy, give Dreadnoughts, or have her Awn navy. He was anxious to take the right course.

WILL THE SHIPS BE A BURDEN OR AID?

MEANINGLESS AND DEROGATORY CONTROVERSY.

(Received December 7 9.15 a.m.) LONDON, December 6. The Wt?.stininster Gazette reciprocates Mr Borden's hcpo to make a.. practical.start with a real partnership. The controversy, whether the battleships would be an extra burden or an aid to the British taxpayer, was meaningless and derogatory, and a poor compliment to Canada, if .they, were to be regarded as a mere append-; age to the British Fleet. The Manchester Guardian says.that 1 Colonial representation on the Defence Committee might make for a ' very serious breach, in t>h.e. theory of' . the: executive responsibility of Parliament.. The representatives might easily become the controlling power behind the Cabinet's naval foreign policy. FEELING IN GERMANY. THE CHALLENGE SHOULD BE ANSWERED.

/Received December 7, 1 p.m.-) BERLIN. December 6.; Canada's offer has created a disagreeable impression. It is not believed possible that the Dominions caji make such great financial sacrifices. The German Press has been asserting for months past., that Great Britain's Imperial spirit has been weakening. Germany, it added, should not leaxfiv] the challenge unanswered. Additions to the Naval Bill and the air fleet are expected.