NAVAL EXPENDITURE.

Taihape Daily Times, 4 September 1919, Page 5

N AVAL EXPENDITURE.

RESULT OF LORD FISHER"S LETTER. it A STORM OF CONTROVERSY. LONDON, Sept. 3. Lord Fisher’s letter has aroused a. storm of controversy. It is agreed on all hands that great economies are nec. 'eSsary,_ but the (}ov’erlllne'nlt !shou'ld proceed cautiously before the Empire’s naval strength is impaired. O Commander Bellairs points out that a good deal of needless expenditure originated in Lord Fisller’s policies, and adds: The situation which denlanded the change from the Atlantic—Mediterranean outlook to ‘the North Sea outlook is now finished. Sir Percy Scott eniphasised that the day of the eight million pound battleship is over. The money could be used to better advantage. The Air Service must now be considered a striking force with far—reaching capabilities. The Government's pre§e‘llt. indecision precludes judicious reduction in expenditure. The naval administration should prepare practical schemes with care-‘ ful regard to efliciency and economy. MR LLOYD GEORGE DEFENDS‘ THE GOVERNMENT. «LONDON, Sept. 2. Mr Lloyd George, replying to Lord Rot*hermere’s attack on Mr Bonar Law, says it is unfair to charge against an individual member of the‘ Cabinet. It would have been folly to throw away the fruits of a great nation-al sacrifice by premature (lisarnlam'é"nt. The high expenditures of 1919 were ‘due to tlle impossibility of completing demobil~ isation until Peace was achieved on all fronts. -