COST OF ARMAMENT.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LI, Issue 15497, 2 January 1914, Page 5

COST OF ARMAMENT.

LIGHTENING THE BURDEN.

CONTINENTAL REVOLT. VIEWS OF CHANCELLOR. Br Telegraph— Press Association— (Rewired January 1, 11.10 p.m.) London, January 1. The l;aily Chronicle, with permission, reports a conversation of Mr. Lloyd George (Chancellor of the Exchequer) with a friend at Criccieth. Mr. Lloyd George stated that the lightening of the burdon of the rates was the most essential part of the programme of both parties. He despised success unlets a real effort was made to reduce the overwhelming extravagance and expenditure on armaments. If a saving were effected in that direction, it would be possible to sweep away the tea, sugar, coffee, and cocoa taxes, and to reduce the income tax to 2d in the £. Th» present was a favourable time to overhaul the expenditure on armaments. The strain had been relaxed owing to Sir Edward Grey's diplomacy. Continental nations were now directing their energies to strengthening their land forces.

CWmany could not take any chances, while Britain could afford quietly to maintain her present superiority in regard to the navy without ma-king feverish efforts to increase. 'H Finally, said the Chancellor, there was a revolt against armaments throughout Western Europe. Liberalism must act upon the new tempt.