NAVAL EXPENDITURE

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIV, Issue 209, 10 May 1912, Page 5

NAVAL EXPENDITURE

MR. ASQUITH'S OBITER DICTA. By Cable—Press Association—Copyright. Received 10, 12.25 a.m. London, May 9. Mr. Asquith, speaking at the Bankers' 'Association, said that he had been inspecting the fleet. It suggested the thought that if the gigantic expenditure Were some day diverted to more fruitful channels they would have the world achieving some of its be3t aspirations, but while the world remained in its present temper Great Britain could not neglect defence against aggression. Her debt had decreased £65,000.000 since 1006. Germany's had increased by £83,1000,000, and Australia's by £112,000,000 in the same period. The fall in consols was attributable to the increased area open. The trustees now estimated it at almost two hundred thousand millions, Accompanying trade activity there were signs in the industrial skv warning them against a complacent optimism. It was the duty of the Government and the business of the community to solve the problem of the recurrence of strikes.