Disunited Navies Useless. lutely no voice whatever in the councils
Perhaps I should say a word or of the empire touching the issues of
two on the subject of naval control peace or wary I do not think that
which has been spoken of during this such would be
durie thi suc wcud bea tolerable condition,
wbao bieen ropken e of I do not believe the people of Canada
debate. While I respect the opinions of woeld for one moment oubmit te sncb a
able and earnest men who disagree with condition. Shaf members et this use,
me, I cannot see that it is possible to
maintain the naval supremacy of this em- representative men, repreaenting 221 con-
stituencies of this country from the At-
pire by a series of disunited navies, not latuencie of thie country from the At-
under one central control. We may be
lantic to the Pacific, shall no one of them
code onecenral ontrl. e ma hohave the same voice with regard te those
of different minds as to whether Canada have the amevoice with regard to thoe
should contribute to the defence of the vaat imperial issues that the humblest
empire outside of her own territory, but if taxpayer in the British Isles has at this
moments It does not seem to me that
we once make up our minds that Canada moment It do t sm t me that
sncb a condition would make for the in--
is so to contribute, then it seems to me uch a condton would make foe the in-
absolutely sure, certain and beyend argu-
absolutely sure, certain and bey?>nd argu- tegrity of the empire, for the closer co-
ment that the naval supremacy of the operat f the empire.
empire can only be upheld by one great People Must Be Consulted.
naval force under one great central con-
,rol. That is my conviction, that is one Regard must be had to these far-
great reason why it seems to me the naval reaching considerations, a permanent
proposals of the government are useless policy would have to be worked out,
and could not be carried out effectually. and when that permanent policy had
been worked out and explained to
Policy Which Conservatives Would Carry the people of Canada, to every citizen
Out. in this country, then it would be the duty
It may be fairly askbed what we would of any government to go to the people oe
do, if we were in power to-day, with Canada to receive their mandate and ac-
regard to this great question. It cept and act upon their approval or
seems to me that our plain course and diaapproval of that policy.
duty would be this: The government of Monk's Motion Unsatisifactory.
this country are able to ascertain and to The hon. member fo Jacqus Cartier
lsnw i thy tk#ethh prperacton or The hon. member for Jacques Cartier
,ksow, if they take t,he proper action for (Mr. isfonk) has moved Ihis motion. I am
that purpose, whether the conditions
which face the empire at thi ntime in not particularly satisfied with its phrasing.
which face the empire at thia time in Wt h hotwihm o.fin
With the ~object which my hon. friend
respect of naval defence are grave. If we from Jacques Cartier bas in view I m
were in power we would endeavour to find ahaolutely in sympathy because I tink
that out, to get a plain, unvarnished
hat ont, te geta aion, uarnied the mandate of the people should be taken
answer to that question, and if the aeswor on se great a question. I have consid-
to that question, based upon the assurance erod the words cf my bon. friend5s
of the government of the mother country ameedment wit some car and I think
andthereprt f te nvalexprt8Ofamendment with some care and I think
and the report of the naval experta cf that the objoct ho as in view migbt ho
the admiralty were such (and I think it te ce h i v mih
would be such) as to demand instant expred, acordg t my humble ap-
and effecivatonhti ryth preciation at least, in words of more sat-
and effective action by this country, then satr mo.
I would appeal to parliament for imme- ssfactory smport.
diate and effective aid, and if parliament I am speaking entirely of course from
did nt giv immediate and effective aid my own standpoint, and I acknowledge
did not give immediate and effective aid h m o fin r. aqe rtr
I would appeal from parliament to the that my on. friend from Jacques Cartir
people of this country. (Mr. Monk) has the same right to hie
~poe~~~opie eof ths copinion as I have to mine. I beg, there-
Permanent Policy Involves Wide Conaid- fore, to move:
erstions. That all the words after the word
'thereof' in the proposed motion in amend-
Then, Sir, as to the permanent policy, ment be omitted and the following sunb-
I think the people have a right to be con- stituted therefor:
sulted. I do not know whether I have We beg to asspre Your Excellency of
made my position clear, but I have done the unalterable a%tachment and devotion
5o according to my humble capacity. I of the people of Canada to the .British
think the question of Canada's co- Crown and of their desire and intention
operation upon a permanent basis in im- to fulfil all just responsibilities devolv-
perial defence involves very large and ing upon this country as one of the nations
wide considerations. If Canada and the of the empire. We desire, however, to
other Dominions are to take their part as express our regret that Your Excelleney's
nations of this empire in the defence of gracious speech gives no indication whsat-
the empire as a whole, shall it be that ever of any intention on the part of Your
we, contributing to that defence, shall Excellency's advisers to consult the peo-
have, as citizens of this country, abso- ple on the naval policy of Canada.