DETHRONING MARS

Dominion, Volume 18, Issue 150, 19 March 1924, Page 7

DETHRONING MARS

PACIFIST MOTION IN HOUSE OF COMMONS FOR GREAT REDUCTION IN PERSONNEL OF ARMY GOVERNMENT TO SUMMON DISARMAMENT CONFERENCE During discussion of the Amy Estimates in Ithe.House nf Commons Mr. Ayles, a pacifist member of the Labour Party moved that the personnel of 166,000 be reducec y 150 000, contending that Britain should dethrone Mars and 'enthrone Christianity. The Financial Secretary to the War Office said the Government considered that mutual disatma S was the best method, and, therefore, was summoning i an international conference to discuss the questio . motion for reduction was defeated, only thirteen members . voting for it, and the votes concerning personnel and pay were canned.

Bt Telegraph-Press Association. -Copybighi.

(Rec. March 18, 8.15 p.m.) London, March 17. In the House of Commons a feature of the Army Estimates discussion was an amendment moved hy Mr. Ayles, the Labourite pacifist, to reduce the personnel of 161,000 by 150,000. . He contended that we should dethrone Marg and enthrone Christianity. He declared that if the nation completely disarmed it would bo safe for other nations to follow its example. Mr. Thurtle, in seconding the motion, said he was not a conscientious objector, but he would be to the next war. Nobody should be subjected to the ordeal of modern warfare which was useless and futde, and should be abolished. . I Colonel Ward said: f'You cannot moralise with an alligator. It would be national insanity for Britain to disarm first in a world armed to the teeth.

Mr. Montague (Socialist) asserted that Labour was not pledged to unconditional disarmament, but wished to give a lead in simultaneous disarmament. While standing for the idealism of the Sermon on the Mount, they would still have their feet on the ground if their heads were in the clouds.

Major-General Seely contended that Jhe Army was already dangerously Email. It should have more machineguns. Major Attlee (Labour) denied that the Army was falling behind in meohanicalisation. Steps were being taken to entirely replace horses. It was not in the public interest to disclose the progress in tanks and other mechanical developments. They were endeavouring to discover a tractor suitable for both military and commercial purposes. Mr. John Lawson (Financial Secretary to the War Office) said the Government considered that a mutual disarmament was the best method, and therefore was summoning an international conference to discuss disarmament. Mr. Pringle (Liberal) declared that Britain had done more in giving a lead to disarmament than any State in the world. . The reduction was negatived by 347 votes to 13.

The House carried the votes covering the personnel and pay. —Sydney “Sun” Cable.

SINGAPORE BASE ABANDONMENT OF SCHEME TO BE ANNOUNCED London, March 17. In the House of Commons, Mr. MacDonald announced that the statement of the Government’s Singapore policy would be made during the debate on the Navy Estimates, and would include a full disclosure of the Australian and New Zealand Governments communications. —Reuter. (Roc. March 18, 5.5 p.m.) London, March 17. The “Daily Telegraph’s” Parliamentary correspondent says that Cabinet has taken its final decision regarding Singapore, so Viscount Chelmsfoid (First Lord of the Admiralty) and Mr. C G ' Ammon (Parliamentary Secretary of the Admiralty) will announce on ‘Tuesday that the scheme has been abandoned and will disclose the comniunications on the subject received from the Dominion Governments. Australia and New Zealand, as might ho expected, declare themselves wholeheartedly in favour of going on with the work; Canada, is lukewarm; and South Africa against the enterprise. The statement will show that the present facilities will be maintained at Singapore, and the oil storage facilities considerably developed, necessitating £200,000 in the new estimates. The Opposition intends to attack the Government’s decision regarding &m--gapore with great vigour.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.

SYMBOL OF RECONSTRUCTION AND PEACE IRISH FRESCO UNVEILED London, March 17. Tbs last of the fouf Mosaic panels commemorating England, Ireland, Scotland, and-Wales was unveiled by the donor. Mr. Patrick Ford, in the Central Hall of the House of Commons in the presence of a distinguished assemblage, including the Speaker. The panel represents St. Patrick in bishop’s robes, his hands clasped in prayer, with the Rock of Cashel in the background. Mr. T. P. O’Connor said that ths fresco symbolised the message of reconstruction and peace in all parts of the British Commonwealth.—Reuter.