CANADIAN DEFENCE.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVIII, Issue 2759, 7 February 1910, Page 5

CANADIAN DEFENCE.

DEBATE IN DOMINION PARLIA MENT.

THE GOVERNMENT’S’ POLICY

United Press Association— Copyright

OTTAWA, Feb. 4

Sir Wilfrid Laurier, in the Doinm.-w House of Commons, moving he sicotul reading of the Navy Bill, said Mi < Government would stand or fall by their policy, but fall they would not. Tl’eir policy was in the best traditions of '•he Liberal party. It was the latest liuii in a long chain of events, springing from the principles enunciated by tv-i re formers of old, which brought Canada to the rank, dignity, and status of a nation within the Empire. The Conservatives were divided in counsel and action. Some were Pharisees of imperialism, demanding direct contributions 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 oe an Imperialist,” he said. “I am a Canadian first and last all the time, but a British subject by birth and conviction. The true policy, and one in accordance with the spirit of the British institutions, is for the Parliament of Canada, which creates the navy to say when and where it will ,go to war.” His recent statement that when England was at war Canada was at war was merely a statement of a principle of international law. When a country was at war all its possessions were liable to attack. Ho saw no immediate menace. The Government would, after the Bill passed, ask for tenders for the construction of a shipbuilding plant for the Dominion. This plant would take a year to erect. Vessels could thereafter be constructed in four years.

AN OPPOSITION AMENDMENT,

Mr R. L. Borden, leader of the Opposition, criticised the speech, ami moved an amendment declaring that the Government’s proposals did not follow the Admiralty’s suggestions and recommendations. He said that so far as empowering the Government to withhold Canada’s naval forces from those of the Empire in war time the proposal wag ill-advised, dangerous, and expensive. It would give no immediate or effective aid, and as a permanent policy should not be .entered upon until submitted to or .approved of by the people. In the meantime Canada’s duty and the Empire's impending necessities could best be met by placing immediately at the disposal of the Imperial authorities a sufficient sum to purchase or construct two Dreadnoughts, giving the Admiralty Tull discretion to expend it at such timo and for such purposes of defence as in their judgment would best serve to in-, crease the united strength of the Empire, and thus assure its peace and security.