CANADIAN NAVY.

Bush Advocate, Volume XXII, Issue 11, 14 January 1910, Page 5

CANADIAN NAVY.

A NEW BILL

Press Assn —By telegraph—Copyright. OTTAW A, January 13. Sir Wilfrid Laurier lias introduced a Bill into the Canadian House of Commons, called the Naval Service Act, which is on the lines of the Canadian Militia Act, including the permanent force and reserve and volunteer forces. No naval ~ conscription is provided for, the force being under the administration of the Marine Department, but under the immediate control of a Naval Controller, advised by a Naval Board. _ Pensions are provided for, and a Naval College is to be established, similar to the Royal Military College at Kingston. The Canadian fleet is composed of four ships of the British class, one of the Boadicea type and six improved river destroyers. The total is estimated to cost £2,308,000, and 22 per cent, extra if constructed in Canada. The first year's appropriation of three million dollar's has been announced. The Government intends to begin building in Canada as soon as possible. In "case of emergency" the Government may by Order-in-Council place the fleet at his Majesty the King's disposal for the general Royal Navy. If such action is taken when Parliament is not sitting, it must be summoned within fifteen days. During the debate on the Bill, Mr T. S. Sproule, M.P., raised the question whether the "emergency" referred to in the Bill meant Avar in Canada or abroad? Sir Wilfrid Laurier replied: "If there is Avar anywhere; if Britain is Avarring with any nations in the Avorld; if Canada is liable to invasion, and if Canada is at Avar." Mr Borden, Leader of the Opposition, in a remarkable speech, tAvitted Sir Wilfrid Laurier Avitli still holding vieAvs in favor of Canadian independence, as shown in his recent declamation that the proposed navy should not go to Avar unless the Canadian Parliament chose to send it. This declaration meant a complete severance of every tie noAv binding Canada to the Empire, but before the flag Avas loAvered on Canadian soil some millions Avould knoAV the reason why. Mr Borden contrasted Canada's action with that of Australia and NeAv Zealand, Avhich responded fully to the Admiralty's suggestion for fleet .units Avhile Canada hedged. Australasia's response in proportion to its population Avas seven times that of Canada. Sir Wilfrid Laurier's speech Avas brief, oAving to Mr Brodeur's unexpected illness. He is suffering from an intestinal ulcer, accompanied by hemorrhage, and there is grave anxiety as to his condition. Mr Borden, continuing, said that Sir Wilfrid Laurier's proposals Avere too much for experiment and too little for immediate, effective, and speedy organisation. They Avould not make the Navy effective before fifteen years, and the crisis AVould come Avithin five. The possibility of Avar Avitli Germany Avas very real. Germany boldly challenged Britain's supremacy on the ocean, and Britain had no right to resent the challenge. Mr Borden quoted Mr M'Kenna's, ! Mr Asquth's, and Sir Edward Grey's - speeches of March 16 last, and said that if the Germans proved themselves the greater race they were entitled to the supremacy of sea and land. German naval supremacy, Avithout firing a shot, Avould bring the British Empire to an end, and if Canada Avere true to herself she Avould not fail in the day of the Empire's peril, but Avould stand in the forefront Avitli the sister nations. "We resources," continued Mr Borden, "and I trust our patriotism Avill provide a fleet unit or an least a Dreadnought Avithout any moments of unnecessary delay. This is our duty to our country and to the Empire."

SOME CIUTICISMS. (Received January 14, 8.5 a.m.) OTTAWA, January 13. Speaking on the Naval Act, Mr Monk, member for Quebec, a Conservative, dissented from Mr Borden's argument that the creation of a navy would mean that Canada would participate in the wars of the Empire without representation in the British Parliament. The Bill was read a first time. The Morning Post's Ottawa correspondent says that Sir Wilfrid Laurier has made important concessions to the weight of public opinion in adopting the larger of two plans, furnished by the Admiralty, and admitting that Canada was automatically involved in any war affecting the Empire, the provision for allowing the Government to place the Navy at the disposal of the Admiralty was seriously marred by its permissive character, thus contemplating the possibility of Canada remaining aloof. The Post commends Mr Borden for repudiating Sir Wilfrid Laurier's recent utterances, which suggested that the Canadian Navy, upon the outbreak of war, would slink into harbor while Parliament was summoned.