THE NAVAL ESTIMATES.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXVII, Issue 90, 16 December 1913, Page 4

THE NAVAL ESTIMATES.

Referring to the British Naval Estimates the “Economist” says:—Mr Iciiurehill has been two years at the | Admiralty, and yet he coolly explains bis Estimates by stating; l“Tlie Admiralty is only carrying out decisions which Parliament has come I to.” As if the House of Commons 'prepared the Navy Estimates, and j forced them on the Admiralty! And ho ivroes on: “If 1 am assailed by criti-: (cism 1 am entitled to point to the' ; fact that the fullest possible authority j Treasury, Cabinet, and Parliameutary—has been obtained for the policy ■

we are pursuing.” Thou Mr Churchill says that this year naval expenditure is above the highest point it ever! reached, and next year “it will be higher still.” And yet two. and a half years ago Mr Lloyd George and Air McKenna foreshadowed substantia! diminutions. The House of Commons was informed that the Xavy Estimates had reached high-water mark, and would now diminish. But Air Churchill! has come in between the pledge and its fulfilment. There is to bo

no retrenchment, no economy, no reduction ; nay, there is to ho another great expansion of expenditure, because, forsooth, the Estimates for tint year are controlled by the Estimate? for last year. A more rubbishy, r more unconstitutional doctrine lur never' been propounded.