CANADA AND A NAVY.

Evening Post, Volume LXXVIII, Issue 95, 19 October 1909, Page 7

CANADA AND A NAVY.

♦ ATTITUDE OF LEADER OF THE OPPOSITION. By Telegraph.— Press Association.— Copyright. LONDON, 18th October. Mr. R. L. Borden, Leader of the Canadian Opposition, gives tentative approval to the naval proposals, and endorses the suggestion that cruisers should be constructed in Canada. The Toronto Sun, the organ of the agriculturists, demands an appeal to the country before Sir Wilfrid Laurier spends £4,000,000 or £5,000,000. Submarine and cruiser squadrons and the development of naval bases will be Canada's contribution to the naval power of the British Empire. The policy of the Government was some time ago announced by Sir Wilfrid Laurier. He recalled that at the Colonial Conference in 1892 Canada had undertaken to look after her own military and naval defence. Since then tho land force had been put into good shape, and now, he said, something would be done with the naval force. The British naval authorities had advised the Government, he continued, that battleships from the colonies were not desired so much as the development of dry docks, repair stations, and naval based, and, in connection with them, submarine and cruiser squadrons to act with the flying squadrons of Great Britain's battleships in time of war. The Times correspondent at Ottawa reported a few days ago that the Canadian Naval Defence Bill would be one of the first measures introduced in the session of the Canadian Parliament, which opens on 11th November. The Government hopes that the Royal assent will be obtained before the session ends, in order that Parliament may bo enabled to vote money for the construction of cruisers and torpedo boat destroyers. Nine vessels will be stationed on the Atlantic coast, and three on the Pacific. The capital expenditure will be £4,000,000, and the annual outlay £600,000. Negotiations are proceeding with the Admiralty for tho immediate loan of a cruiser, which will be stationed in Atlantic waters for the purpose of training cadets and seamen.