THE CANADIAN NAVY.

Timaru Herald, Volume XIIIC, Issue 14324, 14 October 1910, Page 2

THE CANADIAN NAVY.

FOR HERSELF ONLY? MR BEDDOE EXPLAINS. In April last news was cabled from Canada, our elder colonial sister, of.a statement by Sir Wilfred Laurier that his Government insisted that Canadian ships could not take part in any war m which Great Britain was engaged, except on the direct authorisation of the Canadian Government.

Questioned hv a 'Dominion' representative as to whether this implied that Canada reserved to herself an independent control of her naval force in time of war. Mr \\ . Heddoe. Canadian Trade Commissioner, characterised the inquiry as being, in that form, decidedly mis'lending. "Canada. : he said, "prefers to build her own Navy, believbin- that the creation of a Xavy will contribute to tlio upbuilding of n national and Imperial spirit. Sir Wilfred Laurier, who takes a broad view of the subject, has been at all times very much opposed to the cash contribution idea, and is determined to create a Canadian Xavy. -Phis Xavy will be under the control of the Canadian Minister of Marine, but m time of war it_ will pass under the control of the British Admiraltv. Wc are establishing a naval college" to bo presided over by British naval officers. We are subsidising the building of drydocks and shipbuilding yards upon tho very latest models. W r e have already as no doubt you know purchased from "tlio British Government two cruisers, the Niobe and Rainbow, which will shortly reach Canada". These ships will be controlled by British officers -md used for the instruction of Canadians who will thus be prepared to man our own navy by the time it is built. We intend to build a naw in our own waters m our own dockyards. It will be built by our own men with our own money, and we shall have trained Canadians to man the shins when thev arc completed.

T3 ii seems to me >" remarked Mr tfeddoe, ■'scarcely worth while contrad!ctin K a Statement that it would he iri.er tor Canada to contribute money than to create a race of naval men within her own borders. Surelv this last IS a better protection for the British Empire than any money contribu, tjcn could be.

•IF you c-eate a navy and man it with your own men yon build nn a national spirit. If yon send monev out •of a country., it is equivalent to taxation without representation— a ouestitm winch settled in Canada, at the point of the sword, a very lorrn- time ago. * 0

"My lust word is," concluded Mr , - c *thafc Onna<la contains some of the mrst loyal subjects of M* TVf a . lesty. awl there is no more loyal riiV tl'G British Klnpiro than Sir Wilfred Laurier himself "