LABOUR PARTY'S OBJECTIVE.

North Otago Times, Volume CVII, Issue 17165, 23 March 1927, Page 5

LABOUR PARTY'S OBJECTIVE.

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LONDON March 22. In the Housee of Commoiis, on the report of the Navy Estimates, Mr H. B. Lee Smith moved to reduce the vote hy £100. The Labour Party desired the opportunity of bringing before the House a hroad outline of proposals which, it was considered, should be submitted in the name of Britaih- to Ihe coming conference. It had set down a motion stating that, while wTelcoming the proposals, it was of the opinion that national security could only be assured by international agreement for a substantial ajll-'round reduction of naval armament, including the- abolition of capital ships and submarines and the reduction of maximum cruisers for police purposes. Mr Smith said that Labour wanted the First Lord to make a; speech on disarmament, which would send him to history as one of the greatest naval revolutionists. It would meet with a terrific reception in public opinion in America.\If the maximum tonnage of cruisers were 5000 ii would be adequate to protect commerce and would render the Singapore base unnecessary. There would be no threat from Japan and the whole

situation in Australian waters j would be transformed. Such a p"rogramme might involve certain risks. but they would not be as great as j a continuance of naval rivalry. The Rt. Hon. Ian Macpherson said that England had to be most care- i ful in connection with armament, because she Avas in a different position from others. If there were to be disarmament it must be universal and comparative. Sir Harry Foster said it was not generally realised that, allowing for the difference in money value, the present estimates for the Navy were ' one-third less tha/n the total in 1914. He hoped the Admiralty would not consent to a further reduction which, in their view, would endanger the trade routes to the slightest degree. \ ■ -