THE NAVY.

Timaru Herald, Volume XCVI, Issue 14922, 14 December 1912, Page 9

THE NAVY.

MR CHURCHILL'S WORRIES. THE BRIDGEMAN AFFAIR* Press Association—By Tel.—Copyright. LONDON, Dec. 12. The "Evening News" states that Admiral Bridgeman denies that illhealth caused his retirement. Mr Churchill, in the House of Commons, repeated that ill-health during the present year was the cause, and declared that Admiral Bridgeman had a continuous struggle against illness. His action was taken with the Prime Minister's concurrence. ,; Truth" recently announced that Prince Louis of Battenburg intends to resign from the Navy on the ground of ill-health. SIR WILFRED LAURIER. CONDEMNS MR BORDEN'S OFFER. OTTAWA, Dec 12. Sir Wilfrid Laurier's first pronouncement on Mr Borden's naval policy said it was un-Canadian and un-British. He suggested, instead, a purely Canadian fleet, with super-dreadnough+s as the central unit, built and manned entirely by' Canada, The fleet would always be ready to aid Britain After- Sir "Wilfrid had concluded the House sang ''Rule Britannia." Mr Borden read a Memorandum from Mr Churchill stating that it was impossible now to build dreadnoughts in Canada. The Admiralty, however, would let contracts for naval vessels of smaller size ro Canadian shipbuilders. Sir Wilfrid Laurier argued that the necessity lor Britain guarding her own coasts by withdrawal of distant fleets, would give Ca n:\da an opportunity to guard her own coasts with her own fleets, and this would similarly apply to Australia. Received 9.30 p.m.. Dec. 13th. OTTAWA, Dec. 13. Sir Wilfrid Laurier said he welcomed the proposition to take the Navy question out of politics. It was now too la'.o. however, as the Conservatives insisted on making it a party question. He alleged tha.t at the last election oil hundreds of platforms in Quebec the question "What clo we owe to England:'" was answered by shouts of •' Nothing. ' . Opposition speakers vigorously denied this statement.