ARMAMENTS AND MEN.

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume III, Issue 326, 12 January 1914, Page 5

ARMAMENTS AND MEN.

THE BUNGLING AMATEUR. [FEB PBEBS ASSOCIATION COPYRIGHT.] London. Jan. 10. In a speech at Liverpool. Mr. F. E. Smith. Unionist member for Walton, described Mr. Lloyd Ueorge as a bungling amateur, never losing the opportunity of self-advertise-ment. If Mr. Churchill were left alone, he would provide a navy only a little less adequate than the Unionist. FRENCH EXPENDITURE REDUCED. Paris. Jan. to. It is stated that M. Caillaux has induced the Minister of Marine not to issue credits for the construction of the battleships which the Chamber authorised to be built immediately. The Minister also is reducing his budget by £BOO.OOO. The "Temps" deplores these economies, pointing out that the crisis of 1903 followed similar economies, and necessitated- a heavy exnenditurc. DREADNOUGHT PROBLEMS. London. Jan. 10. Rear-Admiral Sir Reginald Custance says that the armour of a Dreadnought is easily perforated by the primary guns at fighting ranges, while it is thicker than necessary io exclude the projectiles of the secondary guns. If the armour could be reduced without impairing the fighting efficiency a great saving would be possible, but the naval authorities of the various Powers naturally shrank from the initial step involving such great responsibility. BRITISH RIFLEMEN. INVITED TO NEW ZEALAND [PER press association.] Dunedin. Jan. 12. Colonel Collins has forwarded, through Colonel Crosse, secretary of the M.R.A. of England, an invitation to the British marksmen visit ing Australia in October to extend their tour to New Zealand. MILITARY STUDENTS. SUCCESS OF NEW ZEALANDERS Dunedin, Jan. 12. General Godley has been advised that the performances of the undermentioned New Zealanders at the Military College of Australia are most meritorious. On three years' work of the first batch c.f 1911. Staff Cadet McLeland comes out on top with 20,536 marks cut of a total of 28.155. Corporal Miks is second with 20,521. In the second batch ol 1913. Staff Cadet Opie secures fifth place with 13,861 out of a possible 19,190. In the third batch of 1913. Staff-Cadet Brown comes third with 6964 out of a possible 5230.