DEFENCE OF THE EMPIRE

Otago Witness, Issue 2817, 11 March 1908, Page 30

DEFENCE OF THE EMPIRE

DEBATE IN PARLIAMENT. LONDON, March 3. In the House of Commons Mr J. A. Murray Mac Donald moved that owing to the continued friendly relations between Britain and the foreign Powers further reduction is possible in the army and navy. He especially urged that it was unnecessary to adhere to the two-Power standard with a margin. Mr Asquith moved an amendment deleting the declaration referring to further reductions and substituting the •words " inviting the House to support the Government in such naval and military expenditure as is consistent with the adequate defence of his Majesty's dominions." Mr Asquith declared that the Government had already made very large reductions, and he indicated firrther economies in the defensive expenditure. He admitted that the reductions were smaller than he had hoped for. Some combination of Powers which used to agitate tbe minds of statesmen had now become in the highest degree impTobable. Even in regard to Germany an advance nearer a complete mutual understanding had been made. It was unnecessary to view with suspicion and apprehension any naval expansion by Germany, which was «imply corresponding to the economic and defensive needs of an expanding country. Mr Asquith (continuing) said that Britain wished to prevent a new spurt in shipbuilding among the Powers. Britain's present position was one of unassailable eupemacy, and ehe must maintain the standard of her complete and absolute command of the sea against any reasonably possible combination of Powers. Mr Asquith added that Mr Haldane had already reduced the army by 21,700 men without impairing its efficiency. Mr Robertson (Secretary to the Admiralty) declared that the Admiralty believed that * tbe provision made in this year's Estimates fully maintained the two-Power standard. Mr Balfour said the Unionists vote against the original resolution, but he suggested the insertion in Mr Aequith's amendment of words making it clear that the two-Power standard would be continued. Mr Haldane pronounced Mr Balfour's suggestion as irrelevant, and refused to accept it. He said that nobody disputed the two-power standard. Indeed, Mr Asquith expressly affirmed it. Referring to the army, Mr Haldane said it wac_impossible to lay down any fixed and rigid standard of strength, and the Government must be the judge of, the nation's needs. Mr Mac Donald's motion was rejected by 320 votes to 73. When Mr Balfour rose to move his amendment he was met by loud Ministerial cries of " Object," the Unionist party replying with derisive shouts. There was much excitement, and ultimately the debate was adjourned. The Prince and Princess of Wales heard the debate. The Times says that Mr Balfour merely sought to remove a possible ambiguity in j Mr Asquith's statement. The paper says that if there was no ambiguity the amendment was harmless, bat if tbe ambiguity was intentional tbe amendment was absolutely necessary.