NAVAL DEFENCE

Southland Times, Issue 19519, 19 May 1922, Page 5

NAVAL DEFENCE

CANADA’S REVERSAL OF POLICY A MOSQUITO FLEET OPPOSITION IN PARLIAMENT (By Telegraph—Press Assn.—Copyright.) (Reuter’s Telegram.) OTTAWA, May 17. The Government has announced that the Canadan navy will consist of the destroyers, Patriot and Patrician, two smaller vessels, and four trawlers, evenly divided on the Atlantic and Pacific coasts as training ships for volunteer sailors on a parttime basis. The cruiser Aurora and two submarines will, be paid off pursuant to the policy of economy and the decision of the Washington Conference. The Opposition blocked the passage of the Naval Estimates, following the announcement of the Government’s policy, which Mr Meighen, said fell short of Canada’s moral obligations as an integral part of the Empire. Parliament accepted Britain’s gift of ships and consented to their maintenance. The Premier, Mr Mackenzie King, said that the Government was carrying out Sir Wilfred Laurier’s policy of a volunteer navy available to the British Admiralty in an emergency. The late Government accepted ships which Britain would have scrapped, but which cost Canada two and a half millions annually. Mr King consented to an adjournment of the debate. NEW ZEALAND’S POLIcV. NO HINT TO LONDON. (Per United Press Association.) WELLINGTON, May 18. The Minister of Defence said he was unable to account for the reference to the “New Zealand hint.” His statement to the correspondent of a London newspaper had been that New Zealand had received no intimation from the Imperial Government that it desired New Zealand to increase her contribution, but if such an intimation were received it would receive consideration. He had explained at the same time that recently the New Zealand naval contribution had been more than doubled, as the Dominion in place of making a monetary contribution of £lOO,OOO had undertaken the maintenance of the Chatham and Philomel. This was in addition to payments in respect of the battle-cruiser New Zealand.