DEFENCE OF THE EMPIRE

Otago Daily Times, Issue 15705, 6 March 1913, Page 7

DEFENCE OF THE EMPIRE

CRUISE OF THE NEW ZEALAND. FESTIVITIES IN SOUTH AFRICA. Press Association—By Telegraph—Copyright. CAPETOWN, March 5. The captain and officers held a reception on board the New Zealand, which was largely attended. One hundred and fifty members of the crew were taken to the Camp's Bay aquatic carnival. In the evening the Mayor held a Teocption in the City Hall, at which many notabilities were present. The New Zealand will sail for Simonstown at daybreak, where she will be provisioned. Nine officers aad 50 bluejackets will pay a three days' rait to Johannesburg as the guests of the municipality. SHARING THE BURDEN. DEBATE IN"SOUTH AFRICA, 'CAPETOWN, March 4. In the Assembly the Prime Minister (Mr Botha) proposed that the Government, immediately consult the Imperial Government on the best form South Africa's contribution to the navy should take. Sir T. Smartt raid he hoped that $outh Africa would soon follow the magnificent example now in the Capetown docks. He tendered to New Zealand his. sincere thanks for sending the vessel. Mr Msrriman regarded Sir T. Smartt's speech as dangerous. He was alarmed at the idea of dragging South Africa into this insensate competition of armaments. The whole of Europe had gone mad, and Can via had embarked on a dangerous course in having a Minister resident in London who had become a sort of partner, and would be dragged into Great Britain's warlike enterprises. At the same time he recognised that South Africa was in a most humiliating position. She carried on an enormous trade, which was protected without adequate payment. He suggested that the present tariff preference be abolished and a certain percentage of the increased revenue devoted to a more adequate contribution to the British navy. He ridiculed the idea of a South African iiavy.

Mr Silbutn moved that the Government immediately submit proposals for annual contributions to the navy commensurate with the Union's importance.

Mt Botha proposed as an amendment that the House recognises the importance of a full consideration of the question of naval defence, aroi Tequests the Government to consult the Motherland. Mr Botha said he fully recognised the necessity of defending the trade routes. He hoped this would not become a party question. It was impossible to' bind South Africa to an annual contribution, which was not the best form of assisting the Imperial Government, South Africa had a small population, and her contribution would be merely a drop in the ocean. The Motherland must be held primarily responsible for Imperial defeice, but he thought that South Africa might dispose of a small navy in her own waters.

Sir T. Smartt agreed to make it a nonparty question, and he accepted Mr Botha's amendment upon the understanding that discussions with the Motherland should be started immediately.

MR MERRIMAN'S SPEECH. APPLAUDED BY THE DUTCH. CAPETOWN, March 5. (Received March 5, at 11.15 p.m.) Mr Meraman stated that when attending the Conference in London he was struck with Canada's determination to hoist her own flag. Turning to the Opposition, he said : " Don't imagine that you can change events by artificial political arrangements."

When challenged to explain, Mr Merriman replied that he could forecast by reading history. , The Dutch in the back bendhes rapturously applauded Mr Merriman's deprecation of the schemes of Imperial co-opera-tion,

CANADIAN POLICY. PROTRACTED DEBATE. > OTTAWA, March 4. The House has been sitting 24 hours. The Liberals are endeavouring to force an appeal to the country on the Government's naval policy.

March 5. (Received 1 larch 5, at 9.30 p.m.) In the course of the navy debate Mr Tairiff argued that it was unbecoming on the part of Canada to hire Englishmen to fight in the dominion ships.

Government speakers retorted" that the Laurier fleet was too poor to fight and too slow to run away, while no Canadians would be found to man it.

DISTRIBUTION OF FLEETS. MR CHURCHILL'S VISIT TO FRANCE. BERLIN, March 4. The Vossische Zeitung interprets tho meeting of M. Baudin and Mr Churchill as being'connected with the distribution of the Mediterranean, North Sea, and Channel fleets. The Kreuz Zeitung comments on the significance and timing of the visit, THE AUSTRALIAN NAVY. LONDON, March 4. is officially announced that Rearadmiral Patey has been appointed admiral of the Australian navy. THE LAND FORCES. LORD METHUEN'S VIEWS. LONDON, March 4, Speaking at Devizes, Lord Methuen said he was prepared to follow in Lord Roberta's footsteps. The Territorials never had a proper chance. The Government mnst make the Territorials efficient, in order to meet the greatly altered con-' ditions in Europe. He believed that compuleory ca<let training would prove acceptable to all Englishmen.