COST OF BRITAIN'S DEFENCE.
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ueccivcd iijil, n.y2 p.m. i-0im0.., -uarili ;j. la tile iiUltac 01 LuuiiiiU!.,-. J AJ - ,J A .iiurru# .Macuonaid moved Uui' 10 tin.- coiiuMitu jjliumi .i.umiy ml* lions wan lux'igu Xowews, a mrmer re. duel,on i, po^, a- __ urged laat , t u u3 Ulllleeessaiy Itj adllCi'e to Lilt tVVO J.'OHul' standard, with a margin. Mr. Afijii.tli inoveu un amendment deluting the uec.aration reteinng to lur-ia-;r reduction, .;iiu sunstiiutiiig tuc words "imiui.g the liuusc to supprri I the Uovcniuienl in such a naval aud nuiHal\ t-'Xpt'iMiUll'l' as 1- eollsiolcnl > w
tile adequate defence ol' his Majesty'.s 11,1.11101.-.* lie UeeiaivU the (jovernnient liad already luadg very large reductions, and indicated funher economies in detensive expenditure. He admitted that the reetuetions were less than lie had hoped, (jonie combinations of the Powers which used to agitate the minds of statesmen, it had become in the highest degree improper to even regard, tierniany had advanced nearer
to a complete mutual understanding with us, and it was unnecessary to view with suspicion or apprehension any naval expansion of Uermany, wilich was simply corresponding to the economic and defensive needs of an expanding country, Mr. Asijuith, continuing, said Biit iin wished to prevent any new spun, m ship-building on the part of the Powers. Britain's present position wits one of unassailable supremacy, and she must maintain tlio standard of her complete and absolute command of the sea, against any reasonably possible combination of Powers. Air. Asquitli added that Mr. llaldane laid already reduced the Army by 21,700 men without impairing its efficiency. Mr. E. Robertson, Financial (Secretary to the Navy, declared that the Admiralty believed the provision made in tills year's estimates tully maintaned th» two-l'ower standard.
Mr. Balfour said tlie unionists would vote against the original resolution, but suggested the .insertion in Mr. Asquitli's amendment words making It clear that the two-Power standard would be continued.
Mr. Haldane pronounced Mr. Balfour's suggestion irrelevant, and refused to accept it. Nobody disputed the twul'ower standard. In referring to the Army Mr. Haldane said it was impossible to lay down any fixed and rigid standard of strength. The Government must be judge of the nation's needs.
THE MOTION DEFEATED. DEBATE ADJOURNED AMIDST EXCITEMENT. Received 3rd, 10 p.m. London, March 3. Mr. MacDonaid's motion was rejected by KO to 7a. Mr. Balfour rose to move an amendment, and was met with loud Ministerial cries of ''Object!" the Unionists replying with derisive shouts. Amidst much excitement the dclute was ultimately adjourned. The Prince and Princess of Wales Heard the debate. The Times says Mr, Balfour merely sought to remove a possible ambiguity from Mr. Asquitli's statement. If there were nji ambiguity, tlie amendment was hivmless. If ambiguity were intentional, the amendment was absolutely neeesSIMTT.
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Taranaki Daily News, Volume LI, Issue 63, 4 March 1908, Page 2
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464COST OF BRITAIN'S DEFENCE. Taranaki Daily News, Volume LI, Issue 63, 4 March 1908, Page 2
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