WAR AT THREE MILLIONS A DAY

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2490, 17 June 1915, Page 5

WAR AT THREE MILLIONS A DAY

WHAT WE ARE FACED WITH BRITISH PREMIER REVIEWS THE SITUATION London, Juno 15. The Prime Minister, Mr. Asquith, moving in tbo House of .Commons tho rote for £250,000,000, emphasised the need for national co-operation and cent-ration on the single purpose of prosecuting the war to a successful issue. The daily expenditure on the war for the last financial year was about a million and a half, and from April 1 to June 12 it was £2,660,000. He estimated the new vote in September at the rate of three millions daily. A Situation Without Parallel. Referring to the reconstruction of the Government, Mr. Asquith welcomed his new colleagues. He paid a, tribute to their public spirit in responding to his invitation at this supreme crisis. It had been a- painful experience to part ivith his own colleagues. If asked why he had brought about the political upheaval—when in the past coalitions in the main had been found wanting in dignity and success —he would reply that the situation was .without parallel. There' had been no call for any change in the national policy, which is _ to pursue the war at any cost to a victorious issue. (Loud cheers.) But he had come to the conclusion that there should be a broadening of the basis of government in order to eliminate even a semblance of a oue-sided party cnarBrltons Mora Resolute Than Ever. Continuing, Mr. Asquith said that the coalition would demonstrate-to the peoplo at Home, to their fellow-subjects overseas; to tho Allies, to the neutrals, and even to their enemies, that Britons are more resolute than ever to obliterate all distinctions and unite every political, moral, and material force in the prosecution of their cause. He had always emphasised the gravity of the task and confidence in the ultimate issue. He deprecated a blind counsol of hysteria and panic. Our paramount duty was to obtain willing and organised help from every Briton. "When our cause has been vindicated, and once more there is peace on earth." concluded Mr. Asquith, "may it be recorded on that proudest day in tho Empire's annals that no home, no workshop, had failed to take part in the common struggle, and thus bad not earned a share in the common triumph." (Prolonged cheers.) Replying to Mr. Dalziel, Mr. Asquith said there was no truth whatever ill tho constant rumours that the Allies were through the Dardanelles. . It was not in the public interest to say anything now about the Dardanelles, which operation was of the highest importance, and .would be pushed through to a successful conclusion. Some Form of Borrowing Foreshadowed. Mr. R. M'Kenna, Chancellor of the Exchequer, on the second reading of the Finance Bill, to provide for a quarter's expenditure, foreshadowed that some form of borrowing would be resorted to shortly. • . TWO 'HUNDRED AND FIFTY MILLION VOTE PASSED. (Rec. June IG, 8.55 p.m.) London, June 16. The vote for £250,000,000 for war expenditure has been adopted.