DEFENCE VOTE.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLIX, Issue 243, 12 September 1929, Page 7

DEFENCE VOTE.

MR POLSON S ATTITUDE.

EXPLANATION GIVEN. (By Telegraph—Special to Standard.) WELLINGTON, Sept. 11. There was some surprise in the House last night when it was noted that Mr W. J. Poison detached himself from Ills fellow Independents and voted with the Labour Party to reduce the defence estimates as an indication that New Zealand’s military expenditure should be reduced. To-day Mr Poison made the following explanation: —“1 had been demanding economy in public expenditure in my speeches,” said Mr Poison, “and amongst other things I think that economy is possible m defenece. Particularly just now, when other countries of the world are reducing their defence expenditure, 1 see no reason wliy New Zealand’s expenditure should be increased as conijiared witn last year. In order to denote to the Government that 1 am out for economy rather than increased taxation, i .voted for a reduction in the defence expenditure. lam as strongly m favour of reasonable defence expenditure as anybody in the Louse. 1 am not one of those who say that all defence should be done away with, but just now, when additional revenue lias to be raised to pay our way, I prefer to see a reduction in expenditure on, defence rather than an increase in taxation on. tlic farmers.