BRITISH ARMY STRENGTH.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXI, Issue 18662, 19 March 1924, Page 9

BRITISH ARMY STRENGTH.

MINIMUM FOB SECURITY. REDUCTION DEFEATED. ONLY THIRTEEN ADVOCATES. By Telegraph-—Press Association —Copyright. (Received 8.15 p.m.) Sun. LONDON, Mar. 17. A feature of tho debate on the Army Estimates in the House of Commons, was the moving of an amendment by Mr. W. H. Ayles, a -Labour pacifist, to reduce the personnel of 161,000 by 150,000. He contended that Britain should dethrone Mars and enthrone Christianity. Ho doclared that if the nation completely disarmed it would be safe for other nations to follow the example. Mr. E. Thurtle (Labour), seconding the motion, said ho was not a conscientious objector but he would be one in the next war. Nobody should be subjected to the ordeal of modern warfare, which was useless and futile and should be abolished. Colonel John Ward (Independent), said. " You cannot moralise with an alligator. It would be national insanity for Britain to disarm first in a world armed to the teeth. Mr. F. Montague (Labour), asserted that Labour was not pledged to tmconditional disarmament but wished to give the lead in simultaneous disarmament. While standing for the idealism of the Sermon on the Mount, Labour would still have its feet on the ground if its head were in the clouds. Mr. J. E. B. Seely (Liberal) a former War Minister, contended that the Army was already dangerously small. It should have more machine guns. Major C. R. Attlee, Under-Secretary for War, denied that the Army was falling behind in mechanicalisation. Steps were being taken to replace horses entirely. It was not in the public interest to disclose the progress in tanks and other mechanical developments. riicy were endeavouring to discover a tractor suitable for both military and commercial purposes. Mr. John Lawson, Financial Secretary to the War Office, said that the Government considered that mutual disarmament was the best method and was therefore summoning an international conference to discuss disarmament. Mr. W. M. R. Pringle (Liberal), declared that Britain had done more in giving a lead to disarmament than any State in the world. The amendment was defeated by 54 ( votes to 13 and the House carried the votes covering personnel to pay.