CANADIAN NAVY.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume LXII, Issue 9595, 5 February 1910, Page 5

CANADIAN NAVY.

Press Association —Klectrie Telegraph—Copyright, Received Friday, at 10.15 p.m.

OTTAWA, Friday,

Sir Wilfrid Laurier, Premier, in the Dominion House, moving the second reading of the Navy Bill, said the Government would stauil or fall by their policy, but fall they would not. Their policy was in accordance with the best traditions of tiie Liberal Party. It was tho latest link in a loug chain of events, springing from principles enunciated by the reforms of old, which brought Canada to tho rank, dignity aud status of a nation within the Empire. Tho Conservatives wore divided in counsel aud in action. Some were tho Pharisees of Imperalism, in that they demanded direct contribution and giving the Admiralty automatic control of the Canadian Navy, and Canadian participation in all British wars. Others in Quebec wanted no navy and no participation in British wars. "I do not pretend to be an Imperialist," said Sir Wilfrid, aud he added: "I am a Canadian first, last, aud all the time; but I am a British subject by birth aud conviction, and the true policy, aud one in accordance with tlie spirit of British institutions, is for the Parliament of Canada, which creates the Navy, to say when and where it shall go in time of war." His recent statement that when England was at war Canada was at war, was merely a statement of a principle of international law, that wiien a country was at war all her possessions were liable to attack. He saw no menace in the fact that the Government would, after the Bill was passed, ask for tenders for the construction of a shipbuilding plant for the Dominion. This plant would take a year to'perfoct, and vessels could thereafter bo constructed in four years. Sir F. W. Bordcn, Leader of the Opposition, criticised the speech, aud moved an amendment declaring the advisability of his suggestions being recommendations to the Government. Received Friday, 11.HO p.m. OTTAWA, Friday. Sir Fredk. Borden's amendment continued that "so far as they empower tho Government to withhold Canada's naval forces from those of the Empire in war time the proposals of the Government are ill-advised, dangerous and expensive, and give no immediate or effective aid, aud as a permanent policy should not be entered upon until submitted or approved by the people. In the meantime it is Canada's duty, aud tho Empire's impending necessities can best he met by placing immediately at the disposal of the Imperial authorities a sufficient sum to purchase or construct two Dreadnoughts, giving the Admiralty full discretion to expend it at such time and for such purj)ose of defence aa their judgment deems best, to serve and increase the united strength of the Empire, and thus assure its peace aud security."