EMPIRE DEFENCE

Southland Times, Issue 17289, 8 March 1913, Page 6

EMPIRE DEFENCE

AN OVERSEAS REGIMENT, (By Telegraph—Press Assn —Copyright.) LONDON, March 3. King Edward's Horse is to he converted from a unit of the Territorials to a unit of tho special reserve. Tito King lias specially approved the change. It is intended to maintain a regiment in connection witli the Overseas Dominions. A DETERMINED OPPOSITION. THE CLOSURE BADLY WANTED. OTTAWA, March 6. Tito House is still sitting, having completed 60 hours' continuous debate. Members can scarcely whisper. Relays are taking eight-hour shifts to enable the Opposition to proceed. The Government arc facing the alternative of going without Supply’ or adjourning the Naval Bill for a week. Air Borden announces his intention of introducing a measure for restricting debate. but such a proposal will be quite ineffective, as the Liberals are able to obstruct tills on the same lines as they are now obstructing the Naval Bill. It is believed that the onl*’ outcome is another election. Members are sleeping on their seats, and prolonging their speeches by’ reading newspaper advertisements and telling stories tiiat arc mostly’ irrelevant to the debate. IMPERIAL SERY'ICE EXHIBITION. LONDON, March 6. An Imperial Service Exhibition is being arranged at Earl’s Court for the summer. Leading naval and military experts, the overseas High Commissioners, and military officers have joined the committee. A naval engagement between miniature Dreadnoughts under modern conditions will be a feature of the exhibition. CANADIAN NATIONALISTS’ VIEW. GYVE NOTHING TO GREAT BRITAIN. TORONTO. March 6. Speaking at a banquet, M. Bourassa said that the British people were the sole and absolute masters of the Empire. therefore they’ ought to pay for its defence without asking the colonies. Confident in the might of the British Navy, the British Government persisted in maintaining its right of piracy. Canadian independence should be without the link of the British Crown, but on a basis of friendly relations with Great Britain and France. DEBATE IN SOUTH AFRICANASSEMBLY'. CAPETOWN, March 7. Received Tth, 5.5 p.m. Considerable feeling has been aroused over the naval debate, and there is much discussion on the apparent inconsistency of the Hon. Mr Sauer's and tho Hon. Mr Botha's speeches. Mr Sauer said he feared that the contributions to the Navy from different parts of the Empire were not wholly spontaneous, and he doubted if South Africa would follbw Canda’s policy of having Ministers at the Council of Defence. He felt that South Africa must do .something to protect the trade routes. He pointed out that South Africa had contributed over £36,000 to the British Navy apart from £500,000 annually in the form of preferential duties. It was the primary duty of a country that wanted an empire to find the means. The British and German armaments were absolutely wicked, and any encouragement would he unfortunate. Mr Lichardt, an Orange State representative, contended that South Africa’s present contribution was much too high, and asked whether in the negotiations the line of Mr Botha’s or Mr Sauer's speech would lie followed. General Hertzog described the Empire as a sort of alliance of all the dominions under Great Britain. He considered that protection of trade was the first duty, and also the carriers of that trade. The defence of the country was the first essential to South Africa. He doubted whether the community had money enough to make a substantial gift. He vehemently protested against Mr Botha going to England. The Government should formulate its proposals, and submit them to the House, and then negotiate with England. Mr Mai an pointed out that the Imperial Government liail spent hundreds of thousands in the t’nion. It was a question whether the Union should take over these works. It was impossible to decide on a policy without a discussion with the Imperial Government. SOUTH AFRICA'S DECISION. CAPETOWN, March 7. Mr Silhnrn withdrew his resolution, and Mr Botha’s amendment was agreed to without a division. The amendment was that the House recognises the importance of full consideration of naval defence, and requests the Government lu consult the Motherland.