BRITISH POLITICS.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 2131, 4 March 1908, Page 3

BRITISH POLITICS.

REDUCTION 0e ARMAMENTS.

debate in the house of COMMONS.

IMPORTANT PROPOSAL NEGATIVED.

United Press Association— Copyright (Received March 3, 9.42 P-’ n A LONDON, March 3. In the House of Commons, Mr J. A. Murray-Macdonald moved that owing to the continued British friciullv rerations with. foreign Powers, further reduction is possible m the armv and navy. Ho especially urged that it was not necessary to adhere to the two-Power standard, with a margin. , . Mr. Asquith moved an amendment, deleting the declaration referring to further reductions, and substituting the words “inviting the House to support the Government in such naval and military expenditure as » consistent with the adequate defence ol His Maiestv’s dominions. lie declared that the Government had nlreadv made very large reductions, and'he indicated further economies in defensive expenditure. He admitted that the reductions were not so large as had been hoped. Somo combination of the Powers which used to agitate the minds of statesmen had now become in the highest degree improbable, and he even regarded Germany’s advance as bringing them nearer to a- complete mutual untloistanding. It was unnecessary to view with suspicion or apprehension any naval expansion in Germany, which was simply corresponding to the economic and defensive needs of an expanding country. Mr. Asquith, continuing, said that Great Britain wished to prevent a new spurt of shipbuilding among the Powers. Britain’s present position was one unassailable, but her supremacy must maintain the standard of its complete and absolute command of the sea against any reasonable combination of the Powers. Mr. Asquith added that Mr. Haldane had already reduced the army by 21,700 men without impairing the efficiency. Mr. Robertson declared that the Admiralty believed that the provision made in this year’s estimates fully maintained the two-Power standard.

Mr. Balfour said that Unionists would vote against the original resolution, but suggested the insertion in Mr. Asquith’s amendment, of the words “making clear that the twoPower standard be continued.” Mr. Haldane pronounced Mr. Balfour’s suggestion to be irrelevant, oucl refused to accept it. Nobody, he said, ’disputed the two-Power standard; indeed, Mr. Asquith expressly affirmed it. Referring to the army, Air. Haldane said that it was impossible to lay down any fixed or rigid standard of strength. The Government must be the judge of the nation’s needs. (Received March 3, 10.30 p.m.) Air. Macdonald’s motion was rejected by 320 to 73. Air. Balfour rose to move an amendment, and t was met with loud Alinisterial cries of “Object,” the Unionists replying with derisive shouts amidst much excitement. Ultimately the debate was adjourned. The Prince and Princess of Wales heard the debate. The Times says that Air. Balfour merely sought to remove any possible ambiguity in Air. Asquith’s statement. If there was no ambiguity in the amendment it was harmless, but if the ambiguity was intentional, the amendment was absolutely dangerous.