ARMY ESTIMATES.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIV, Issue 214, 8 March 1912, Page 5

ARMY ESTIMATES.

TERRITORIALS AND VOLUNTEERS COMPARED. BRITAIN'S SUPREMACY AT SEA. By Cable—Press Association—Copyright. Received 8, 12.5 a.m. ' London, March 7. In the House of Commons Mr. A. H. Lee (member for Farehan) stated that the Territorial Force was 45,000 men and 1800 officers short of full strength. Fifty-eight per cent, had attended full training, and 53 per cent, had failed in the musketry course. The Territorials cost £ll per head, as compared with £7 for the Volunteers. Colonel Seely said the Government did not base military strategy o* the assumption of a waning sea supremacy. He was satisfied that the oversea garrison was adequate, though circumstances might arise necessitating its reinforcement. He was unable to withdraw the South African garrison at present. If Britain was really open to attack from highly trained Continental troops, it would be necessary to have full conscription, not Earl Roberts' modified form. England's naval supremacy prevented the landing of great forces. Mr. Bonar Law said he did not want the soldiers to think the rifle was worse than it was. He admitted that after Its adoption it was a great improvement on the old weapon.