DEFENCE OF THE EMPIRE.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXV, Issue 60, 13 March 1913, Page 5

DEFENCE OF THE EMPIRE.

CANADIAN NAVAL DEBATII. (By Electric Telegraph.—Copyright.) (United Press Association.) Ottawa, March 11. In the naval debate Mr Neely asked if the Canadians were willing to hand over the palm of genius and selfreliance to the Australians. While the Australians were able arid willing to defend the Pacific, and Canadians were told by Mr Borden that they could not do so. ~

Mr Emmerson declared that Lord North’s mistake had lost Britain the American colonies. Conceivably Mr Churchill’s latest naval memorandum might lose for the Empire Canada and Australia. The people of Canada were disinclined to bow down before., the Admiralty Lords.

THE TERRITORIALS. London, March 12. The Associated Chambers of Commerce passed a resolution in favour of universal training. In the house of Lords, Lord Galway will introduce a Bill instituting a ballet to maintain the Territorial establishment, the shortage to be drawn from men between 18 and 30 years of age. A Blue Book issued shows the army strength at 84,811 below the establishment, hut there was a slight increase in recruiting in 1912. Expectations were not realised owing to emigration, trade prosperity, and the predilection of recruits for the navy. I BRITAIN NOT FORCING CANADA’S HAND. (Received 9.0 a.m.)

, London, March 12., The Westminster Gazette says: “It is unfortunate that Mr Churchill’s memorandum can be used in a dispute between two Canadian parties. The position of the Mother Country is that she will gratefully accept whatever Canada decides. If Mr Borden asked, ‘How could we best render assistance ?’ Mr Churchill was bound to answer, but the last thing Britain desires is to try and force Canada’s hand. 1 ’

“CANADA’S FIRST DUTY.” (Received 11.20 a.m.) Ottawa, March 12. The Conservative press throughout; Canada are vigorously condemning the Liberals’ attack on Mr Churchill’s memorandum. ' They point out thit’ i the Liberals were not satisfied, until it had been .read, arid then they declared that Mr Borden .(Premier) had misled Mr Churchill for his own purposes. One paper quotes the Australian example as emphasising the need for defence of the North Pacific. Mr Borden retorts that the first duty of Canada is to aid Britain in a man-.» her required by the Admiralty, and then to develop a permanent naval policy. L ; ■' Both sides condemn Mr Neeley’s speech, wherein he read the American Declaration of Independence, declaring that Canada would follow suit through Mr Churchill’s mistakes.

NAVAL DEFENCE OF THE DOMINION. Ashburton, March 13. This morning, when presenting, on behalf of the Ashburton Grammar School, the Devon (England) flag to the Ashburton High School, the Premier (Mr Massey) said with regard to land defence New Zealand was doing nil that was necessary, but not enough as far as naval defence in the Pacific was concerned. There was no reason why there should not be a fleet in the Pacific capable of dealing with any enemy that should come along. Their coasts, harbours, and trade routes were not sufficiently protected. The question of naval defence was one which Mr Allen would dicuss with the Imperial Government.