Mr. Corry's exposition of the Naval Estimates on Tuesday was
chiefly remarkable for its breadth and lucid detail ; and the fact it made apparent that the Government had adopted to a great extent the naval policy suggested last year by Mr. Childers and Mr. Stansfeld. Nearly every foreign squadron has been reduced in ships and men ; more armoured, and fewer unarmoured vessels are to be built ; and the practice is to be continued as far as a wise discretion will permit. But naval administration is still in an unsatisfactory state, because no real attempt has been made to reduce the expenditure. In fact there is an increase in the estimates. It was easy for Mr. Corry to justify the vote for building, and to vindicate the propriety of retaining the seamen ; but the weak point in his case is that he did not account for the superfluous expenditure in other departments. The Opposition endeavoured to reduce the number of the Marines—a questionable proceeding—and they were beaten by 127 to 65; but they were right in trying to resist the augmentation of officers in the Marines; and they failed, because the influence of the officer class is predominant in the Commons.
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