The Army Estimates were issued on Monday, the total being
£29,813,110, or a net increase of £913,100. By eliminating special charges, the normal Estimates can be reduced to £27,980,100, or a decrease on the figures of 1904-5 of 2469,900. But the item of £1,213,000 for the rearmament of horse and field artillery—au item which should have appeared in the Budget three years ago— explains the increased demand on the taxpayer. The other principal items are :-210,101,000, pay of the Army; £4,630,000 for supplies and clothing; 23,350,000 for non- effective charges; £2,489,000 for armaments and engineer stores ; £2,330,000 for works; £2,190,000 for transport and remounts ; £858,000 for ordnance establishments and general stores ; £1,220,000 for the Volunteer corps ; £817,000 for the Militia; and 2438,000 for the Imperial Yeomanry. On the ordinary services there is a decrease of £180,000. The number of men provided for on the Home and Colonial establishment is 221,300,—a decrease of 1,500. We have dealt with the wider issues elsewhere, and will only point out here how small is the burden imposed by the Militia, Volunteers, and Yeomanry in comparison with the addition they make, directly and indirectly, to our military strength.
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