CANADIAN NAVAL SUPPORT.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 3699, 7 December 1912, Page 7

CANADIAN NAVAL SUPPORT.

THREE LATEST BATTLESHIPS TO BE PROVIDED.

A POLICY WORTHY OF THE CREAT DOMINION.

“CO-OPERATION COMBINED WITH AUTONOMY.”

SHIPS TO BE CONTROLLED IN THE MEANTIME BY ROYAL NAVY. ■-

[UNITED PRESS ASSOCIATION—COPYRIGHT)

OTTAWA, Dee. 5,

Tremendous excitement was created in Parliament by the reading of the Admiralty memorandum on the naval policy.

The memorandum explained that it was necessary to weaken the British overseas fleets in order to cope with the German expansion. Aid from Canada was likely to produce great effect 00 the other Powers,

Mr Borden (Premier) declared that nothing less than absolute security of ths trade route was sufficient. The Government intended to ask for £2,358,000 to provide three battleships of the best possible class. The Canadian Marine Minister would live in London while participation in the control of the foreign policy is being worked out, and become a permanent member of the 1 Imperial Defence Council.

AN INCREASINGLY DIFFICULT

TASK

MR. BORDEN DESCRIBES THE PROPOSALS.

Mr Borden described the naval problem as one combining co-operation with autonomy. The task of providing defence for the ever-growing Empire was becoming increasingly difficult for Britain single-handed, and the Dominions must share the control. The foreign policy had hitherto been under Britain’s exclusive control, but far the future it was intended to make the Minister for Marine a piSTmanent member of the Imperial Defence Committee, and to act in consultation on all questions of foreign policy. The Admiralty in a memorandum advocated building the best and strongest ships possible, on the ground that such a course would he of the most service. Mr. Borden added that the aid Canada proposed to give was to enable Britain to establish a fleet of battleship cruisers and cruisers in the pacific with a powerful squadron regularly visiting the Atlantic coast. The Government was not asking for a system of regular contributions to the Imperial Navy. Canada proposed that the ships should he controlled by the Royal Navy, and later, if Canada desired to control thorn, it could he secured upon reasonable notice. Britain would build the -battleships, hut the smaller vessels and the auxiliary cruisers would be built in Canada.