GERMAN WAR PREPARATIONS.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LV, Issue 284, 31 March 1913, Page 5

GERMAN WAR PREPARATIONS.

ARMY BILL'S PROPOSALS. £9,500,000 EXTRA YEARLY. THE WAR CHEST TREBLED. By Cable—Press Association—Copyright. Received 30, .1.5 p.m. Berlin. March 2!). The preamble to the Army Bill states that owing to the war in the Balkans . the ratio of povVer in Europe had shifted. The strength of the army had not kept pace with the growth of population. Universal service was the trustiest foundation of Germany's strength. The per- ; rnanent recurring expenditure on the | army was 100,000,000 marks yearly. As I the sources of taxation open to the Imperial Government were insufficient for the burdens, a considerable portion must be shifted to the Federal States. The Army Bill provides for a non-re-curring expenditure of £52,500,000. The war chest is increased from £0,000,000 to £18,000,000. A defence levy will be made of onehalf per cent, on property above the value of £SOO, and of 2 per cent, on incomes above £2500. The extra annual expenditure of £0,500.000 is to be met by increasing niatriciilar contributions by Is 4'/od per hc-a'd above the present rate of Sd. Joint stock limited companies will be assessed after their liabilities have been deducted. It is proposed to issue notes of five and ten shillings.