NOTES AND COMMENTS.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LII, Issue 3, 28 January 1909, Page 4

NOTES AND COMMENTS.

EXPENDITURE ON ARMIES. The military expenditure of Ureal Britain during the recent years is stated by Mr. llaldaiio, iu reply to a Parliamentary qmtition by Mr. Maddison, to bo as follows: — 18IMMH00 £44,107,*)!! 1000-1001 102.424,071 1001-2 £04,105,!105 1002-:; 1)70,248,523 1003-4 13,053,034 IUO4-5 £31,55!),038 4005-0 £20,120,574 1000-7 £28,305,087

1007-8 (estimate) .. £27,320,718 1008-!) (estimate) .. £27,100,101 It should be remembered that these figures were swollen by war expenditure from 1800-1000 to 1004-5. From the hitter period tho figures represent the peace expenditure, including loans. From 1800-11100 Germany, starting with £30,348,438 (exclusive of colonial estimates), has steadily increased her expenditure, save for slight decreases from 1902 to 1004 and in 1007-8, up to the latest estimate, which is, for 1008-0, £51,437,0311. France, starting with, for 1800-1000, an army expenditure of C21i.570.1i73, and colonial military expenditure of £3.140.000, lias, with various modifications, progressed to an army expenditure of £31.105.004 and colonial military expenditure of £3,172.204 for 1003-!). Russia, beginning with £30,483,000 in 1881), finishes with estimates of £50,227,035 for 1008 and > £57.343,855 for 100!).