We cannot set forth in detail the speech made by
Mr. McKenna in opening the debate. We may note, however, his re- mark that comparison between German and British estimates, if made in money, is fallacious. Germany's estimates were for twenty-two millions, while ours were for forty-four millions, but it must be remembered that in Germany sums which appeared in our Navy Estimates were borne on the Civil Estimates. Another difference was that while in Germany there was compulsory service, we had to pay for the main- tenance of a voluntary system. Again, we had to keep up a fleet in foreign waters and in the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans. In the end an amendment, moved by Mr. G. Roberts on behalf of the Labour Party, declaring that the increasing expenditure was not justified by foreign events and was a menace to peace and national security, was negatived by a majority of 162 (216-54).
Previous page
