THE ARMY ESTIMATES.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XLVII, Issue 8061, 17 March 1906, Page 2

THE ARMY ESTIMATES.

PROPOSED REDUCTION IN PERSONNEL. DEFEATED BY A LABGE MAJOBITY. " Received 18,11.32 p.m. London, March 14. In the House Mr Selby moved to reduce tlic personnel of the Army by ten thousand. Mi; Balfour depreeatcd any reduc« tiou of the regulars before the pro* jeeted supplementary organisation M been created. Mr B. B, Haldanc, Secretary for War, asked for timo to effect economy, Perhaps in a year, and on scientiflo lines, and with due regard to all parts of the large subjoct, it would b« effected. The subsequent discussion showed tknt some reduction was expected, as the result of the feeling in many elec* torates. The Premier appealed to his mor® impatient followers to allow Mr Hal. Dane a free hand in studying the in* tricate problem. He reminded the House that with the Government policy of peace abroad, the strength of the Army was dependent largely oil the external policy. Ho hoped tht amendment would not be pressed. Mr Solby insisted on his amendment, which was nogatived by 296 to 56. The Opposition supported the Government. Many of the Radicals did not vote. The vote for the 301,000 men was carried.