THE EMPIRE’S FORCES

Greymouth Evening Star, 10 March 1928, Page 7

THE EMPIRE’S FORCES

LOWER NAVY ESTIMATES.

(Australian & N.Z. Cable Association.)

LONDON, March 9. The Navy Estimates total £57,300,000, which is £700,000 less than the original estimate, and £1,150,000 less than the figure as amended in the Supplementary Estimate not found necessary. Mr Bridgeman, in a memorandum, points out that the continued placidity of the general Navy situation has been constantly in mind in preparation of the Estimates. Many impoi’tant services have been either deferred or provided at a leisurely rate, which the expectation of a prolonged period of peace alone warrants. The production of two cruisers in the 1928 programme and one in the 1929 programme, meant great economy. The expenidture on Singapore was limited to preliminaries and also the preparations of the floating dock, which would arrive in November, and be ready for use iri four months.

REDUCED ARMY STRENGTH

LONDON, March 9.

In the Commons, Sir L. Worthington Evans, closing the debate on the Army Estimates, emphasised the fact that before the war, the strength of the army was 710,000. To-day it is 472,000. The vote was agreed to by 189 to 20.

INFANTRY OBSOLETE

LONDON, March 9.

Field Marshal Milne, referring to mechanisation, said it was impossible not to be thrilled by the possibilities opened up. The British army has now found something which has relegated infantry and horsemen to a secondary place in warfare. They will in future be merely moppers up, and ground cleaners or else go to fight in countries which are motor proof. . One absorbing problem of mechanisation is the question of fuel.