Can We Afford It?

Horowhenua Chronicle, 12 March 1910, Page 4

Can We Afford It?

KITCHENER'S SCHEME. LEADER OF THE OPPOSITION INTERVIEWED [PBa PnEBB AHSOCUTIQN.j AUCKLAND March 10. I lie leader of the Opposition (Air \V. F. Alflssoy) to-day stated that lie had not had an opportunity of thoroughly studying Lord Kitcheners recommendations, but he consented to state his views in regard to the main principles of the proposals. "I supported the Defence Act of Inst session," said Mr Mnssey, "because I felt that wrought to do a great deal more than we had been doing in the way of defence, and am anxious that we should, as fains possible, take advantage of the advice and experieuieo of' the distinguished soldier wlio lias just visited this country. t think, however, that it would be a mistake at present to go beyond the exepnditure contemplated by the Act of 1909, or to increase- the age for military training. "I. notice that the Minister for Defence estimates the. maximum cost of Lord Kitchener's scheme at .£'470,000 per annum. To that We have to add £100,000 os the annual subsidy to the Imperial Navy, and interest and sinking fund in connection with the Dreadnought, estimated at £150,000 per annumsay £750.000 in all. Can the Dominion afford this at present? I think not. "I consider we should go on with the Act of last year, amend it where it requires amendment, and at tho same time work -on the lines laid down by Lord Kitchener, but subject to the defence expenditure being kept down to us near half a per annum as possible. T am quite certain that if wo Launch out into an extravagant scheme there will be a reaction, and we shall lose the ground we have gained " In regard to the proposal for increasing the .ago for military training. Mr Massey said:—"l am sure this would also be a mistake. Many pconle do not look favourably oil compulsory training up to 2l! but if we increase the age to 20. as suggested, tbore will be dislocation of certain industries ,ind consequently trouble, and T for one cannot agree to the proposal. Tho Minister for Defence says that the ■new suggestions can bo given effect to without increasing the taxation, but do not let us forget that Parliament increased the taxation last year by approximately half a million a year, and on the understanding that the increases in Customs were to be only temporary. Parliament and the people will expect tli.it promise to be kept, aind if adhered to there would be doubt about our ability to finance the new scheme. , ' In regard to the suggestions that Australia and New Zealand should adopt homogeneous military systems Mr Massey said that this proposal was obviously a sound one. "The two countries," be said, 'should so arrange their defences as to bo able to co-operate in time of ■danger, as it is quite certain that in the event of trouble they would bavo to st.iiiid or fall together. The proposal that we should send onr cadets to be instructed at the Australian Military Collgee is manifestly also a good one. I agree with the Prime Minister that tin's is not a party ouostion. Tt' is above party. Lord Kitchener's advice to not allow nersoual considerations to stand in the way of efficiencv must also, of course, be followed if we expect to build up a sound system of defence." In conclusion, Mr Massev said , — "The country as a whole is willing to do its duty from an Imperial point of view, but the new proposals nnd even the provisions in the new Defence Act. are largely experimental, and f think we are much moro likely to do the right tiling in the way of our duty to the Empire and our own countrv if we avoid pliinginsr and make baste slowlv."