INCREASE OF ARMAMENTS

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXVII, Issue 8608, 19 December 1913, Page 7

INCREASE OF ARMAMENTS

DEPUTATION TO MR ASQUITH. By TeVfgraph—Pro** Association—Oopj'righl LONDON, December 17. A deputation of Liberal members of Parliament, headed by Mr P. A. Molteno, urged the refusal to an increase of armaments. The Premier replied that there was forthcoming a largo increase in the Estimates, which was automatic and which the House of Commons had already sanctioned. He denied that there had been any other commitments. The deputation expressed eatisfactior at the reply. ME ASQUITH’S STATEMENT. (Received December 19, 1.20 a.m.) LONDON, December 18. Mr Molteno’s deputation to the Prime Minister was of a private nature. The members were given to understand that the Government has no intention of building ships in competion with Austria and Italy so far as the Mediterranean is concerned. The next Navy Estimates will be below £50,000,000. Mr Asquith added that the amount spent on the navy and army was a matter of grave concern to the Government, which was. aware how it affected future social legislation. He emphatically repudiated the attempt that 'was being made in some quarters' to separata hjr Churchill from the rest of the Cabinet, and said all the members were responsible for the naval expenditure.