AN APPEAL TO CÆSAR.

Marlborough Express, Volume XLIV, Issue 56, 11 March 1910, Page 7

AN APPEAL TO CÆSAR.

SHALL CESAR'S ADVICE BE

FOLLOWED?

[fbom wtjr corbespondent.]

CHRISTCHURCH, March 10

Referring to Loi-d Kitchener's report, The Press says: The cost of the scheme is considerably greater than the present and impending expenditure on defence; in £he seventh year, the Prime Minister tells us, probably £100,000 more. It sounds a great deal of money, but Sir Joseph Ward asserts that it can be met without further increasing taxation. There is this to be remembered about it, that if the scheme is carried out, as Lord Kitchener urges, with a single eye to efficiency, we shall have a defence system that is worth what it costs. It is a question between spending "£400,000 0r£500,00 a year and getting our moneys worth or from £200,----000 to £300,000 and not getting it. There is no alternative, because we must either adopt Lord Kitchener's scheme or leave it alone; and we may add that to a sensible people there is no option as to which they should choose. We have appealed fo the highest authority, and having appealed we shall be worse than foolish if we fail to act on his advice.