BRITAIN’S DEFENCE.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXI, Issue 450, 6 February 1909, Page 3

BRITAIN’S DEFENCE.

“An Englishman’s Home.”

London, February 4,

The extraordinary vogue of the play, “An Englishman’s Home,” emphasising Britain’s unreadiness for war, is increasing. The author is Major Guy Du Maurier, son of the famous Punch artist.

All the newspapers are publishing special articles and interviews daily. Statesmen are utilising the occasion for rousing the country to the necessity for Home defence. Viscount Esher has estimated the deficiency of the Territorials at 106,000.

The Chronicle admits that sharp differences in the Cabinet have developed at recent meetings anent the new constructions and the naval estimates. The admiralty propose an immediate addition to ,£2,500,000 increasing to and in succeeding years. Messrs IffoydGeorge (Chancellor of the Exchequer), and Winston Churchill (President of the Board of Trade) with Vicount Morley (Secretary for India) are opposing the scheme. Mr Reginald McKenna (hirst Lord of the Admiralty) and the Parliamentary Secretary, Mr T. J. Macnamara, though previously rigid economists, are strongly supporting it. There are rumours of a possible resignation. Mr J. C. Williamson has secured the Australian rights of “An Englishman’s Home.”