BRITISH PARLIAMENT.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXI, Issue 9039, 4 March 1908, Page 5

BRITISH PARLIAMENT.

CABLE NEWS.

United Press Associaiion—By Electric Telegraph Copyright.

ARMY AND NAVY ESTIMATES

DEBATE IN THE HOUSE OF COMMONS.

Received March 23, 9.23 p.m

LONDON, March 3,

In the House of Commons Mr J. A. Murray Mactior?alt3, Liberal M.P. fur Falkirk Burghs, moved that owing to the continued friendly relations of Britain with foreign powers a further reduction is possible in the Army and Navy Estimates. He especially urged that it was unnecessary to adhere to the two-power standard with a margin. The Hon. H. H. Asquith, Chancellor of the Exchequer, moved an amendment deleting the declaration referring to further reductions, substituting woi'ds inviting the House to support the Government in such naval and military expenditure as is consistent with the adequate defence of His Majesty's dominions. He de- ( clared that the Government had already made very large reductions and indicated further economies in defensive expenditure. He admitted that the reductions were less large than he had hoped. Some combinations of powers which used to agitate the minds of statesmen had now become in the highest degree improbable. Even with regard to Germany an advance nearer to a complete mutual understanding had been made. It was unnecessary to view with i suspicion or apprehension any naval expansion by Germany. Mr A. J. Balfour said that the Unionists would vote agains 1 ; the original resolution, but he suggested the insertion in Mr Asquith's amendment of words making it clear that the two-power standard would be continued. Mr R. B. Haldane, Secretary of War. pronounced Mr Balfour's suggestion as irrelevant and refused to accept it. Nobody disputed the twopower standard, said Mr Haldane. Indeed Mr Asquith expressly affirmed it. Referring to the army, Mr Haldane said it was impossible to lay down any fixed and rigid standard of strength. The Government must be the judge of national needs. Mr Macdonald's motion was rejected by 320 votes to 73. Ultimately the debate was adjourned.