A DRASTIC “CUT”

Gisborne Times, Volume LVI, Issue 6321, 25 February 1922, Page 5

A DRASTIC “CUT”

MILITARY ECONOMIES AT HOME PRUNING NOT AS GREAT AS RECOMMENDED. NECESSARY FOR TRADE REVIVAL (United Pre6s Association—Copyright.) (Received Feb. 24, 5.5 p.m.) LONDON, Feb. 23. Sir 'L. Worthington Evans proposes to disband twenty-four battalions of the infantry and forty-seven batteries of artillery totalling 30,000. (Received Feb. 25, 1 a.m.-y LONDON. Feb. 24.

Sir L. Worthington Evans said that in view of the position in Inciiu, Egypt, Turkey and the Rhine, Britain’s military liabilities were net excessive. 011 the other hand, trade revival was impossible without most drastic savings. In the circumstances lie thought that it was the Government’s duty to face the uncertain naval and military risks temporarily rather than encounter financial and economic calamities. He could nut freely accept the Geddes proposals for reducing the garrisons in Egypt and elsewhere abroad, npr overlook the fact that we did not possess a militia and the reserves had been greatly reduced. Tie hoped to propose a reduction of 16million in the Army vote, instead of twenty millions, which the Geddes committee recommend. The army would be reduced by thirty-three thousand Instead of by forty-four thousand recommended by the Geddes Committee. The total army estimates were under sixty millions.—A. and N.Z. C.A.

GOVERNMENT ASKS EMPLOYERS AND TRADE UNION VIEWS.

LONDON, Feb. 23. The Minister of Labor has circularised the. employers’ associations and trade unions throughout the country asking for recommendations for carrying out Sir '’Eric Geddes’ suggestion for making industries instead of the State responsible for the unemployment insurance.— Reuter.