EXPENDITURE ON ARMAMENTS.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume XXIX, Issue 7733, 1 March 1909, Page 4

EXPENDITURE ON ARMAMENTS.

Per Press Association —Copyright.

LONDON, February 27. Sir Edward Evans, presiding at the general committee of tho National Liberal Federation, .said that they had heard much about increases of armaments, but the Government would have to show good cause before the Liberals assented to an increase. The Government's policy of peace throughout the world was the strongest possible. ■ He added that if the Conservatives came into power now there would bo a frightful catastrophe, hardly exceeded by the Messina earthquake. After the rejection of an .amendment from Scarborough against a policy of unnecessary shipbuilding, a resolution by iho executive committee was unanimously adopted reaffirming the principles of economy in naval and military expenditure. To this was added the following: "The committee cannot recognise on the evidence at present before, tho country that a case has been established for the suggested increase in naval expenditure." Commenting upon the addition to the resolution the Daily News says: "This refers to the demand for six Dreadnoughts in 1909 and probably six more in 1910. The Federation's resolution, as we have reason to believe, has not only saved the Government from speedy disruption, but maintained the great ideal of Liberalism." The Times referring to the firmness shown by Mr Asquith in dealing with li deputation from the Trades Union Congress, expresses a hope that thesame attitude Avail unflinchingly be maintained in the probable event of an open struggle in the party over the naval estimates.