MILITARY FUNDS

Hokitika Guardian, 16 October 1931, Page 8

MILITARY FUNDS

FRANCE’S EXPENDITURE. AN UNNOTICED ADDITION. j PARIS, September 1. I Nobody seems to have remarked a ! Presidential decree, countersigned by M. I'ietri, Minister for the Budget, and M. Maginot, Minister for War, which has appeared in the “Journel Officiel,” although it is of considerable interest. The effect of the decree is to transfer to the credits for the general military expenditure in the current financial year a sum of 460,000,000 francs ( (£3,680,000), originally voted by Parr liament for the fortification of the 5 frontiers. Tt would be interesting to t know for what purpose M. Maginot suddenly needs this addition to the large ■' sums already allotted to the army in the Budget for 1931-2. It is possible . | that the order for small field-guns re--1 centiy given by General Weygand has I anything to do with it? I It would appear from the wording of the decree that the .sum in question was originally voted by Parliament in 192 y, and allotted to the fortification of the frontiers by a Presidential decree promulgated on November 7 last. It is to be hopid that this addition to the military expenditure in the current financial year will not be forgotten when I the French Government supplies the ■League of Nations with the figures of its expenditure on “national defence.”