BRITAIN'S SHARE.

Taranaki Daily News, 28 August 1918, Page 7

BRITAIN'S SHARE.

. 7,100,000 MEN SUPPLIED.' DEFEAT OF TIIE U-BOATS. A report of a speech by Mr. Massey, at ICew, emphasising (Britain's share in the war, was forwarded to Australia by Reuter, but was not telegraphed to New Zealand. Mr Massey, the message states, pointed out that out of 7,500,000 men contributed by the Empire, the British. Isles had given 75 per cent. These figures included 4,500,000 from England /alone, while the Dominions and colonies had given 12 per cent. India and other dependencies had supplied the remainder. Regarding the air service, he continued, British airmen 3iad accounted for considerably more than 4000 enemy airmen in the last 12 months. British airmen had carried out T4 air raids in Germany in June, and during the year they had dropped more than 800 tons of explosives on enemy forces or in enemy country. Unquestionably the British were now supreme in the air. Their air force was very much larger, their machines better and their men more daring and more resourceful than, those of the enemv.

The tonnage of the British Navy was now more than 6,000,000 compared with 4,000,000 tons at the outbreak of the war, and the personnel now numbered 420,000 compared with, 145,000 previously. There were 5G7 steamers continually employed carrying troops and stores to the armies in France and the East. The German idea that the submarines were going to win the war had been dispelled by the steps taken to deal with the U-boats. Although the submarine peril was not yet passed it was being dealt with much more successfully than was the ease a year ago. The Navy was now able to sink these underwater craft more rapidly than they could be replaced and their torpedoings could not now affect the final result of the war. The hunter was becoming the hunted, and the hunting would continue until not a submarine was left. Britain's Navy had done mar*, vellous work in the war, and if it got an opportunity of dealing With the Kaiser's fleet Mr Massey had "not the faintest doubt as to the result. When next the fleets met, the Germans would not get away so easily, as they did at Jutland. ,

Britain's war expenditure to the end of March was £7,014,000,000, oi 1 which £5,170,000,000 was raised by loans and £1,844,000,000 in. revenue. It was worth noting that 25 per cent of the war expenditure had been raised by taxation. Loans to Allies and the dominions amounted to £1,520,000,000 on March 31. It was certain that we could outlast the enemy financially. Our position was still sound, our assets far exceed 1 ing our liabilities. If the Kaiser thought we were going to stop before he was knocked* out he never made a bigger mistake.