THE ALL RED ROUTE

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 247, 11 July 1908, Page 5

THE ALL RED ROUTE

CANADIAN DEBATE, AN OPPOSITION AMENDMENT, BRITAIN WAITING. (by telegeaph—peess association—copyeiget.) (Roc. July 10, 10.5 p.m.) Ottawa, July 10. 11l the Dominion Houso of Commons the I'rimo Minister, Sir Wilfrid Laurier, moved a resolution to tho effect that it is desirablo, with all convenient speed, to tako stops to carry into effect tho Imperial Conference's decision concerning the All Red routo. Tho resolution affirms Canada's willingness to assume a fair share of tho burden of establishing and maintaining an All Red servico, and hopes that Australia and Now Zealandwill co-operate with Canada in arranging a doiiuito plan. NOT MAURETANIAS. Sir Wilfred Laurier, in moving his resolution, said it might not bo advisable to subsidise steamers as large as the Mauretania, but a fleet of 20 to 21-knot boats would be necessary in tho Atlantic, and 18 to 20-knot boats in the Pacific.

Tho Hon. G. E. Foster (who was Minister of Finance in former Conservative Governments, and who supports Canadian protection and Imperial preference) complained that no commercial reasons wero given to warrant tho expenditure of a million dollars a. year for a decade. Besides, New Zealand required a thirteen-day, not a sixteen-day) service across the Pacific. THE CARGO SIDE OF THE QUESTION. Mr. R. L. Borden, Leader of the Conservative Opposition, moved an amendment oxpressing strong sympathy with tho object of the resolution, but declared that essential features of such a servico must be oold stor•fge and cheap rates. The amendment also enquired that any contract be submitted to l.'ai 'iairrat before being concluded. The Hon. Clifford Sifton (formerly Minister of the Interior in tho present Government, a position he resigned owing to a difference of opinion with Sir Wilfrid Laurier on tho education question), declared that tho project could not be carried into effect within five years, and would require a largo subsidy. Mr. Sifton (who recently delivered an address in Great Britain on behalf of the All Red routo) added that tho British Government was awaiting the action of the colonies. He believed that a 24-knot Atlantic service, and a 20-knot Pacific service would satisfy Australia and New Zealand.