DEFENCE OF BRITAIN.

Auckland Star, Volume XL, Issue 51, 1 March 1909, Page 5

DEFENCE OF BRITAIN.

THE NEW PLAN. A DETERRENT TO FOREIGNERS (Received 9.10 a.m.) LONDON, February 28. In a speech at Brighton, Mr. R. B. Haldane, Minister for War. declared that the new General Staff's system of the defence of Britain was as far ahead of recent plans as a motor car was ahead of a horse carriage. If the colonies adopted the suggestion of the War Office and adhered to the homogeneous system, the methods of rapid concentration of a heavy force would be a deterrent to foreign aggression. The Army Estimates for 1910 show a decrease of £24,000 and a reduction of 18,000 men on the establishment as compared with those of last year. Mr. Haldane, in a memorandum, states that the recruiting of regulars is remarkably brisk. AUSTRALIA'S ASSISTANCE. LONDON, February 27 Mr R. B. Haldane (Secretary of State for War), replying to Mr W. A. Redmond regarding the military proposals of the colonies, stated that Major-General ; Hoad, head of the Commonwealth forces, had expressed full concurrence with them. It was hoped, therefore, that the proposals would commend themselves to the Commonwealth Government.