CANADA'S STATUS.

Auckland Star, Volume XLI, Issue 31, 5 February 1910, Page 5

CANADA'S STATUS.

"A NATION WITHIN THE EMPIRE." LAURIER A CANADIAN FIRST AND LAST. NAVY PROPOSALS DISCUSSED. (By Cable.—Press Association.— Copyright.' OTTAWA, February 4. Sir Wilfrid Laurier, in moving the second reading of the Navy Bill in the Dominion House of Commons, said the Government would stand or fall by the policy of a local navy; but fall they would not. Their policy followed the best traditions of the Liberal party. It was the latest link in a long chain of events springing from the principles enunciated by the reformers of old, which brought Canada to the rank, dignity, and status of a nation within the Empire. The Conservatives in Canada, proceeded Sir Wilfrid Laurier, were divided in counsel and in action. Some were the Pharisees of Imperialism, demanding a direct contribution to the British navy, and giving the Admiralty automatic control of the Canadian navy, and holding that it should participate in all British wars. Others in Quebec wanted no navy and no participation in British wars.

" Personally," added Sir Wilfrid Laurier, "I do not pretend to be an Imperialist. I am a Canadian first and last and all the time, but a British subject by birth and conviction. The true policy for Canada, and one which is in accordance with the spirit of British institutions, is for the Parliament of Canada, which creates the navy, to say when and where it shall go to war." His recent statement that when England was at war Canada would be at war was merely a statement of the principle of International law that when a country is at war all its possessions are liable to attack. He, however, saw no immediate menace.

Mr. R. L. Borden. Leader of the Opposition, criticised the Prime Minister's speech, and moved an amendment declaring that the Government's proposals did not follow the suggestions received from the Admiralty. So far as they empowered the Government to withhold Canada's naval forces from the Empire in time of war, the proposals were illadvised. It would be dangerous and expensive at such a crisis for Canada to give no immediate or effective aid to the Empire, and as a permanent policy such power should not be given to the Government or such a policy entered upon by them until the proposal had been submitted to and approved by the people. In the meantime Canada's duty was clear, and the Empire's impending necessities could best be met by Canada doing her duty by placing immediately at the disposal of the Imperial authorities sufficient money to purchase or construct two Dreadnoughts, giving the Admiralty full discretion to expend the money at such time and for such purposes for the Empire's defence as in their judgment would best serve and increase the united strength of the Empire, and thus assure its pej.ee and security.