"DETHRONING MARS"

Evening Post, Volume CVII, Issue 67, 19 March 1924, Page 5

"DETHRONING MARS"

PACIFIST TINGE TO ARMY

DEBATE.

(AUSTRALIAN-SEW ZEALAND CABLE 'ASSOCIATION.) LONDON, 17th March..

A feature of the discussion in the House of Commons on the Aiy.iy Estimates was an amendment moved by Mr. Ayles (Lab.), a pacifist, to reduce the Army's personnel of 161,000 by 150,000. He contended: "We should dethrone Mars, and enthrone . Christianity." Ho declared that if the nation completely disarmed it would be safe for other nations, to follow its example. Mr. Thurtle (Lab.), in seconding the motion, said he was not a conscientious objector, but he would be in the next war. Nobody should be subjected to the ordeal of modern warfare, which was useless and futile, and should be abolished. Colonel John Ward (Lib.): "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 (Lab.) asserted that Labour was not pledged to unconditional disarmament, but it wished to' give a lead in simultaneous disarmament. AVhile standing for the idealism of the Sermon on the Mount, it would still have its feet on the ground, if its head was in the clouds. ' General J. E. G. Seely (Lib.), contended that the Army was already dangerously small. It should have more machine guns.

Major C. R. Attlee, Under-Secretary for War, denied the Army was falling behind in mechanicalisation. Steps were being taken entirely to replace horses. . It was not in the public interest to disclose the progress in tanks and other mechanical developments. They were ondeavouring to discover a tractor suitable for both military and commercial purposes.

Mr John Lawson (Lab.) said the Government considered mutual disarmament was the best method, and was therefore summoning an international conference to discuss disarmament.

Mr. W. M. E. Pringle (Lib.) declared that Britain had done more in giving a lead to disarmament than any 'other State in the world.

The amendment was negatived by 347 votes to 13.

The House carried the votes covering the personnel and the pay of the Army.