CANADA'S DEFENCES.

Dominion, Volume 2, Issue 471, 1 April 1909, Page 7

CANADA'S DEFENCES.

A LOCAL FLEET, LAURIER ON GERMAN METHODS. LOYAL CO-OPERATION WITH EMPIRE FORCES. (iIITBLBQRAPK—rBESS ASSOCIATION—COPYRIGHT.) (Reo. March 31, 9.46 p.m.) Ottawa, March ,'ii. In tho Dominion Houso of Commons, Mr. Poster urged Canada (which at present does not contribute to tho British Navy) to contribute regularly to tho Navy's support. Tho Prime Minister, Sir Wilfrid Lauricr, said 'ho preferred ifi follow tho cxainplo of tho Australian Commonwealth and provide tho nucleus of a local navy. Sir Wilfrid Laurier added: ... ... Perhaps In building her navy, Germany Is preparing to do to Britain on tho sea what she did to France on land. No Britisher can bo Indifferent to , such a prospcct. Though tho danger is not Imminent, wo must ba vigilant, and wo must be prepared to stump t[iQ country In tlio Interests of tho defence of the Empire. Ultimately, after the party leaders had conferred, a resolution was adopted declaring that the Houso would cordially approve any necessary expenditure for tho speedy organisation of tho Canadian Naval Service, which would co-opcrato with tho Imperial Navy as tho Admiralty suggested at tho Inst Imperial Conference. Tho "Toronto Globo" says that no unani.mously preoiso courso is to bo taken. Canada will welcome a frank statement as to ■what naval defence is best for Canada and , tho Empire. CANADIAN AND AUSTRALIAN AIMS. S The position of Caiuda with regard to tho British Navy, and her own present beginnings of a navy, was slated > in The Dominion of March as. Sir Wilfrid Lauricr, himself a trench-Canadian, with a feeling both for tho France of 1870 and the England of to-day, has sounded what must bo taken as a warning note to Germany, and his remarkable speech will no doubt stimulate the naval movement m Canada. Like the Commonwealth l'rimo Minister, Mr. I'islior, Sir Wilfrid Laurier considers that Canada's dutv is to provide a local navy that may eventually relieve tho British Admiralty of some of its present scattered re. spohsibilities, but it is to be noted tha.t tho Canadian resolution favours "co-operation with I the Imperial Navy as tho Admiralty suggested |at tho last Imperial Conference." This evi- | dently means compliance with what tho Britisli Government has always emphasised—tlio placing of local fleets in time of war under tho single control of the Admiralty. While Canada's tendency is to follow Australia's load in naval matters, Australia, with her compulsory training proposals, seems to bo following the Canadian lead in matters military. Canada has hitherto devoted nearly all her attention to land defences. Under tho Militia Act, 1901, every Canadian between tho ages of 18 and GO, unless exempted, is liable to serve. Canada's nim is lu ensure a strength of 100,000 men being availablo as a 'first lino of defence." There is a Permanent Force, and tile cadet organisation is very comprehensive. This reads much like tlio Australian militarj schemes. Canada's big militia and little nav; policy has been criticised as a "ono-arnici one-legged" system—a ground of reproac which is now in some prospect of being 11 moved.