THE BRITISH ARMY.

Waikato Argus, Volume X, Issue 947, 16 May 1901, Page 3

THE BRITISH ARMY.

KE - ORGANISING PROPOSALS. DEBATE IN THE HOUSE OF COMMONS. London, May 14. In the House of Commons Mr St. John Broderick, Secretary for War, moved the second reading of Ibe Government proposals for the reorganisation of the army. Sir H. Campbell-Bannerman moved an amendment affirming that the scheme was not adapted to the special needs of the Empire, and -would increase the burdens taxpayer without adding to the Empire's military strength. He considered that the Army Corps system was too rigid a scheme, and was likely to be interpreted as aggressive. ns increased armaments dominated the policy outlined. Mr G. Wyudham defended (he main fentures of the proposals, especially the decentralisation icYa. lie said the work would be placed iu the hands of six generals of Mouth African experience. Mr Winston Churchill feared the scheme would involve danger to the navy, which would thereby be rendered uselessly weak and the army uselessly strong. Sir H. Oatupboll-Baniierman was charged with introducing the element of a mere party fight. Lord Stanley declared that most ot the speakers were agreed «*in regard to three requisites, viz.. reform, defence of the Motherland, and defence of the colonies, and a luobile force for attack, which could bo ready instantly to co-operate with the navy. The Government was introducing a scheme to secure in the colonies the same class of men as the Imperial Yeomanry, with the same regulations and the same name, which a portion of the force had certainly helped to make historic. Sir J. C. E. Colomb said it was a costly scheme, based on traditional ground less than the dread of au invasion. He recommended the consolidation and co-ordination ot the Empire's defences.