In the House of Commons on Thursday an interesting die.
cussion took place on the Navy Estimates, during which there was a pretty general agreement that it would be unwise to decrease naval expenditure at the present time, though it was essential to see that the utmost value was obtained for the vast sums voted. Mr. Arnold-Forster won the approval, not only of the House, but of all sensible men, when he declared that the question to be considered was not whether we were spending more than we were ten years ago, but what would be the naval forces arrayed against us in any possible juncture that might reasonably be expected to arise
Our personae/ was not excessive any more than was our ship. building programme. Later on Sir William Allan, on the vote of £4,786,700 for shipbuilding material, made sweeping charges of waste and extravagance against the Admiralty. To these Mr. Arnold-Forster replied with some vehemence, declaring that the charges had no foundation whatever. He mentioned also that the Admiralty were so far satisfied with the sub- marines which had been constructed for them, and that in future the delay in shipbuilding would be greatly reduced. We sincerely trust that this will prove to be the case. The matter is of the utmost importance. The State which builds quickest may prove in a prolonged struggle to have an in- estimable advantage. Naval actions may be quickly over, but we must not assume that naval wars will be as expeditious.
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