BRITISH POLITICS.

Hokitika Guardian, 19 March 1924, Page 2

BRITISH POLITICS.

(“Sydney Sun’’ Cables). DISAR M A MENT Q UESTION. LONDON, March 17. In the House of Commons a feature of the Army Estimates disetfssion was an amendment moved by Mr Ayles, the Labourite, who is a pacifist. It was to reduce the personnel of 202,000 in the Army by 150,01X1.

The speaker contended that we should dethrone Mars, and enthrone Christianity. He declared that if the nations were completely disarmed, it would he safe for other nations to follow its example. Mr TTiurtle seconded the motion. He said he was not a conscientious objector. but he would he such to the next war. Nobody should be subjected to the ordeal of modern warfare, which was useless and futile, and it should be abolished. Colonel 1\' ard said: “You cannot moralise with an alligator.” ft would be national insanity for Britain to disarm first in a world armed to tlio teeth. " ■ 51 r Montague, the Socialist, asserted that Labour was not pledged to unconditional disarmament, but it wished to give a lead for simultaneous disarmament. 'While standing for the idealism of the Sermon on the Mount-, they would still have their feet on the ground if their heads were in the clouds. Colonel Seeley contended the army was already dangerously small. It should have more machine guns. Mr Attlev denied the army was falling behind in meehanicalisation. Steps were being taken to entirely replace the horses. It was not in the public interest to disclose the progress intanks and other mechanical developmnts. They were endeavouring to discover a tractor suitable for both military and commercial purposes. Mr John Lowson said the Government considered mutual disarmament was tlio best method, and it was therefore summoning an international conference to discuss disarmament. Mr Pringle declared that Britain had done more in giving a lead to disarmament than any state in tlio world. The motion for the reduction was negatived by 347 votes to 13. The House carried the votes covering tlio personnel and pay of the army.