BRITISH ARMY AND NAVY.

Temuka Leader, Issue 2595, 16 December 1893, Page 1

BRITISH ARMY AND NAVY.

London, Dec. 13,

The Times says the Government next session will announce a large shipbuilding programme. After a heated discussion the Cabinet have decided to spend £8,000,000 on the navy. The agitation far an increase in the Navy continues. A great meeting of merchants, bankers, and all classes of the public, convened by the Chamber of Commerce, held in London, a resolution was carried urging the Government to take immediate steps to ensure the naval supremacy of Great Britain, irrespective of the cost. The proceedings were characterised by great enthusiasm. Lord Roberts declares that on the efficiency of the Army depends British supremacy. The St. James Gazette gtatgs |hai $ js. expected that tfye Admjrajiy will expend qn. tfte construction of vessel* 6? the Royal Sovereign ola.ssj tbfogh 011 an improved scale,

InJjhijQabiuet meeting Mr Gladstone. & nt l Sir W. V. Harcourt reluctantly sup--ported the votes for an, increase of the Navy. Earl Spender, First Lord of the Admiralty, declared that the question was. one requiring immediate action. %n the House of Commons. Lord- George Hamilton, First of tha Admiralty in the Salisbury Administration, has tabbed a ojotioi containing the subject matter ot the resolution respecting increases in the Navy.

The Hon. A. J. Balfonr supported Lord George Hamilton's motion.