NEW ARMY ESTIMATES

Otago Daily Times, Issue 18512, 24 March 1922, Page 5

NEW ARMY ESTIMATES

DEBATE IN THE COMMONS. THE PROPOSED ECONOMY/ SOLDIER MEMBERS’ OPPOSITION. Free* Association—By Telegraph—Copyright. LONDON, March 22. (Received March 23, at 8.30 p.m.) A powerful array of soldier members of the House of Commons strenuously attacked the new Army Estimates on the ground that it was dangerous to reduce the Empire’s military strength. Mr F. B. Mildmay, who moved a nominal reduction of the vote. Field Marshal Sir Henry Wilson, General Sir C. Townshend, Sir John Davidson, and Major-general Sir Cecil Lowther were amongst the most prominent of the critics. Field Marshal Wilson said he was not an advocate of an arrav of 80 divisions, as he was not thinking of a great European war, but how to avoid war inside the Empire. “There is,” he said, “a way to save money. Leave the places which do not belong to us in the grasp of those to whom they do belong, by which means wo can effect a large economy.” Sir L. Worthington Evans, replying, said : “If we attempted to shape an army on Field Marshal Wilson’s basis we would be faced with the problem that we could only secure recruits on higher terms or by conscription.” Mr Mildmay’s amendment was defeated by 245 votes to 54.—A. and N.Z. Cable.