NAVAL AFFAIRS.

Waimate Daily Advertiser, Volume XXIII, 20 May 1922, Page 5

NAVAL AFFAIRS.

CANADA’S NAVY. GOVERNMENT’S POLICY. Press Assn.—By Tel.—Copyright. OTTAWA, May 17. The Government announced that the Canadian 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 volunteeer sailors on a part time 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 fills short of the moral obligation, 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 the Government was carrying out Sir Wilfrid Laurier’s naval 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 £2,500,000 annually. Mr King consented to the adjournment of the debate.

OPPOSITION TO POLICY. Ottawa, May 19. Despite Lord Lees’ reeent London speech, in which he complained that the dominions were not fulfilling the naval obligations, the Canadian Government decided to cut down the navy. Two years ago the. Admiralty gave the dominion the cruiser Aurora, the destroyers Baeiot and Pacieian and two submarines. The Minister for Defence (Mr Graham) announced that the Aurora and the submarines will be laid up The only defence maintained will be one destroyer and two armed trawlers, each in the Atlantic and Pacific All the Imperial officers will return to England. Canada is creating a naval volunteer force. This policy, which is now before Parliament, is meeting with th ebitterest opposition.