DEFENCE EXPENDITURE.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXV, Issue 16549, 13 May 1914, Page 8

DEFENCE EXPENDITURE.

Thk interesting item in the cabled reference to the report of Sir lan Hamilton on the Defence Forces of the Commonwealth is the prediction that tho cost of the system of compulsory training will be far greater than tho amount estimated by Lord Kitchener. The Australian expenditure has been growing rapidly and there is no indication that it is likely to reach its maximum for many years to come. New Zealand is in a similar position. Already the cost of tho system here is greater than Lord' Kitchener anticipated, and year by year we find the amount demanded increasing. There is not a shadow of doubt that we shall shortly bo spending three-quarters of a million sterling on the 'training of Territorials and Cadets, and the country will have to ask itself the question seriously whether it is getting value for the money. We know that tho expansion of the cost is causing General Godley serious concern, but apparently it does not seem to be in tho power of tho'Department to keep tho expenses down, and unfortunately we have no restraint exercised by tho Finance Minister, who, as we have shown, has little time to attend to the details of tho Defence administration. It is impossible to overlook the great disparity \ between the salaries paid to military officers and the salaries paid to school teachers, and the question is bound to be asked and asked again whether tho training of tho Cadets and Territorials demands higher attainments or more laborious or more prolonged study than docs the training of the children in tho schools. This is only one aspect of the problem. Wo have Cadets undergoing training at Duntroon who will shortly become lieutenants, at a salary of £250 per annum, rising to £3OO after four years’ service—wages that are attained by the most highly qualified of the school teachers only after many years of service. The Minister of Defence last year estimated that the total expenditure would ultimately settle down in the neighbourhood of £450.000 a year, but as far as we can see there is small prospect of the vote ever falling below half a million, and unless rigid economy is exercised it will greatly exceed that sum.