BRITISH POLITICS

Hokitika Guardian, 9 March 1932, Page 5

BRITISH POLITICS

NAYY ESTIMATES EXPENDITURE SHOWS DECREASE. (United Press Association—By Electrio Telegraph.—Copyright.) LONDON, . March 7. In the House of Commons, Sir Dalton Eyres-Monsell in introducing the navy estimates, said he felt like Doctor Jekyll and Mr Hyde, had just returned from the Disarmament Ccmfeience, the programme of which was rigidly limited by the Washington and London Naval Treaties. He hoped the Disarmament Conference would reduce the size of ships, including the lighter cruisers. If it did not, we would lie- forced to build bigger ships, amd seek more cruiser tonnage.

The present were the lowest Navy Estimates since 1913. Our danger was not. invasion but interruption and destruction of our mercantile marine. The Empire’s ships, and cargoes worth seven hundred millions, were spread over eighty thousand miles off sea routes.

For its security it needed many lightly a fined cruisers. This was a small insurance to pay for the security of our trade.

It had been shown at Geneva, that the world expenditure ou armaments from 1925 to 1930 increased by 126 millions sterling. The British naval expenditure during that period had fallen' by eight million pounds. NAVY VOTE CARRIED. EXTENSION OF GOLD STANDARD. LONDON, March- 7. In the House of Commons, the Navy note was carried. The Bill was introduced, prolonging the life of the Gold Standard Amendment Act, which suspended the Gold Standard, and the Foodstuffs Prevention Exploitation Act. Both are emergency measures passed in the autumn of 1931, and are due to expire in March and April respectively if not renewed. UNEMPLOYMENT DECREASE. LONDON, March 7. ■- The unemployment in England number 2/112,927 wholly, 486',599 temporarily, and 101,647 casually. % This L 27,238 less than in January but 83,545 more than a year ago.