PENSIONS OR POWER?

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 116, 8 February 1908, Page 5

PENSIONS OR POWER?

.... ■ - I : STRUGGLE CONTINUES -i'l' '' A .; - j.','; ;'■■■, . EXCHEQUER AND ADMIRALTY: 1 0T XZLEOEAriIrTPnESa, • it * l I ' hi London,-. February i. O. The Right Hon.vH: -H-.rAsquith (Chancelloiv, of. objected to the Naval Lord . Tweedmouth I .(First. Lord of .tho Admiralty) as being-too highland, tho' Estimates.,were returned. to •: the Admiralty for lovision. 1 " Cabinot has appointed a committee' to c6nsidor further retrenchments, especially 111 tho Navy ' ; One hundred and thirtyiLjberals are pledged to a reduction of armaments; and are'now ;pressing tho Govornment to .'reduce, tlio Estimates /"Through '. the. Estimates 1: not ■ yet being ; tabled a debate thereon'yesterday ,had to be postponed;,which ,wa's,;,obviously inconvenient' for tho Government. :.-:.v v.;

AN EIGHT-MILLIONS SCHEME. i According to : the "Daily Telegraph," Mr iAsqiiith proposes, to start \vith eight millions, ,in order to-provide la'ss.pelisioii,at G5 years of age, not universal, -Mr.. Chaplin's scheme,' the disqualifications /.under., which v, were' recently published/ estimates an' initial cost of >810,780,000;>for aY.S&Spfefteibri'at'Gs years/ The" same schotao, i mth'an age qualification' of- 70 years, would-involve: 4. Details of :Mr. ( :ABquith's,,scheme .will,, no doubt;: depend on.how fartho old .age pensions get' tho, ' better : .of."the .Nayy.iiii. the struggle for funds;-or vice versa. 'l- .

"A number:' of; Labour and jßadic.il 'member's" ■will;; no-doubt,- exert a 'strong counter : force"to those who' are; endeavouring :to l secure' an in-" ■creased'-naval -.construction < programme in keeping, l with. ■ Germany's. The-/'-'Spectator". takes_.up -theistand-jthat , the efficiency- of, the ileet;:may. be.--''much',.increased without.: extra, cost. -"We claim,'', says-the .'.'Spectator;'.'.- *?that theLexistingStato; of affairs amply justifies tho' demand which ,we ma'dd!_last autumn .for' a caroful - and impartial inquiry.;'! into "iiaval ■ policy; and "Administration- - ; as a, whole. 1: If the •'Cabinet l lire": wise," they.-will insist' upon .such 'an inquiry.-'-".'They need' not fear.:that' .its -result will bo,' to ; lead to; any demand: among 1 sensible'. persons; - for,. an:, increased . expendi-: turei upon.,the■,Navy.lt',would;-■ we .believe, show ,'that,. wiser.;. administration., and .a. wiser disposition of.'-navil 1 . power 'we can obtain complete':'' security without adding to our financial- burdens."' "