NATIONAL ARMAMENTS

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXII, Issue 7110, 23 April 1910, Page 5

NATIONAL ARMAMENTS

IMPERIAL WARS RESPONSIBILITIES OF OVERSEA DOMINIONS. Cy Telegraph—Press Association- .Copyright. (Received April 22. 9.40 p.m.) LONDON, April 22. “The Times,” discussing the debate on the Canadian Navy Bill, says: “The principle that national armaments must be at the disposal of tho Parliaments building aud maintaining them is a fundamental condition of all co-operation in Imperial defence; but Sir Wilfrid Laurier's argument tends to obscure tho fact that although compulsion to take part in Imperial wars cannot come from within it may come from without. If the Empire he at war Canada is at war, though she does nc-t participate iu the actual hostilities. It is true Canada had no direct interest iu the Crimea; but Russia would not have considered herself debarred from raiding the Canadian coasts. These actual responsibilities arc involved in any system of Imperial partnership, and they were directly recognised by the late First Sea Lord, Sir John Fisher, on behalf of Australia

“Wo consider Mr R. L. Borden, leader of the Canadian Opposition, was justified in insisting that they should bs recognised in tho Canadian Navy Bill.”