BRITAIN'S DEFENCE.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XLVII, Issue 7712, 14 January 1905, Page 2

BRITAIN'S DEFENCE.

SPEECH BT MR. BALFOUR. " Biggest Reform Since Kelson's Dty." (Received Jon. 18, 10.43 p.m.) LONDON, Jan. 13. Mr Halfour, in fl speech at a Scottisli I nionisi banquet in Glasgow, said the Government (was entitled to sonic gratitude for strengthening tho country's defence. It had done mufti townnrl executing completely the recommendations in the Esher Commission scheme. The real problem 'of Hie Hrilixh army uro-.e on a point .where alono there was u possibility of conflict with great military empires 'lliis problem was the problem of Afghanistan—and India's defence. The military re-organisation of India would almost double ita efiiciency without any material addition to Uie forces. As regards the new gun, armament would be costly, requiring deliberation. No Continental nation was able to boar the cost of such an undertaking out of current expenditure. The army would be re-armed by March, 1807, and "lons before then we should be is advance of most of the nations* Our guns would be better titan Uknm of any foreign country." Ml- Balfour emphasised the magnitude and importance of the Admiralty'* rearrangement of tho fleets and augmenting their fighting power in tiia first 24 hours of hostilities. Not once, or twice, but threefold this was the biggest step tor reform of the navy undertaken since Nelson'a day.**