asked the Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs if he can say when the report of the committee recommended by the Ottawa Conference to consider the future of the Empire Marketing Board may be expected?

In setting up the Committee on Economic Consultation and Co-operation, to which my hon. and gallant Friend refers, the Ottawa Conference recommended that the report should be available not later than the 31st May. In subsequent correspondence between the several Governments represented on the Committee it was suggested that it would be advantageous if the report were available by the 31st March, and I understand that the Committee are using their best endeavours to have their report ready by, or soon after, the last-mentioned date.

asked the Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs if he will request the Committee recommended by the Ottawa Conference to consider the future of the Empire Marketing Board to take into account and report on the advisability of changing the direction of the Board's activities to the promotion of the sale of this country's products in the Dominions?

The terms of reference of the Committee to which my hon. and gallant Friend refers were laid down at the Ottawa Conference, and include a survey of the functions and organisation of the Empire Marketing Board. I may add, however, that in accordance with the recommendation adopted by the Imperial Economic Conference of 1930, the scope of the Empire Marketing Board Vote is no longer limited to the promotion of the marketing of Empire goods in the United Kingdom.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware that no relief is granted to British cotton goods in the duties in the recent Indian Budget; and can he say what representations he is making to the Government of India?

The existing duties on cotton piece goods entering India, which were due to expire on the 31st March, are to be continued for a further six months pending consideration by the Government of India of the report of the Indian Tariff Board. The position is being closely watched, and I have no reason to think that the Government of India are not fully alive to the importance attached to the matter in this country.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that Lancashire is suffering intensely from these duties, and that unless something is done quickly there is great danger of the cotton industry collapsing entirely?

The Manchester Chamber of Commerce have put the whole case before us, and we are keeping in close touch with them throughout.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he has yet been able to obtain any information as to the intention of Germany to recommence subsidising the export of oats in the near future?

If my hon. Friend refers to the German export bond system, the answer is that the system has been extended to cover oats as from 11th March. Under this system as now modified the exporter of oats or oat products receives a certificate which entitles him to import an equivalent quantity of oats at half the normal rate of duty.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what was the total importation of frozen beef cuts during the month of February; and if he is satisfied that the present machinery is adequate to prevent improper importation of frozen beef by sending it cut up in sacks and labelled as offal?

The imports of frozen beef cuts classed with "other descriptions" of frozen beef from all countries during February amounted to 1,203 tons. Frozen beef cuts imported with the bone, as well as offals, fall under the head of "other descriptions," which are not specifically limited by the Ottawa Agreement and, so far as I am aware, no question of misdescription arises. As regards the voluntary regulation of such imports I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer which I gave to the hon. and gallant Member for Tiverton (Lieut.-Colonel Acland-Troyte) on 7th March.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he can now make any statement as to the principal provisions which will be contained in the new trade treaty between Great Britain and Denmark; and whether there will be an opportunity for discussing this matter in Parliament?

I am not at present in a position to make any statement on this subject as negotiations are still in progress. Any agreements that His Majesty's Government may make with foreign Governments as a result of trade negotiations, will be laid on the Table of the House before ratification in accordance with the practice which has for some time been observed.

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether it is not a fact that the only country with which His Majesty's Government have successfully concluded a trade agreement is Iceland, and whether the right hon. Gentleman is satisfied with the use he is making of the bargaining weapon?

No, Sir, the statement made by my hon. Friend is not correct. We are quite satisfied with the progress of the negotiations so far as they have gone.

In what respect is my hon. Friend's information incorrect—that we have not concluded an agreement with Iceland?

No, in every respect.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he is now in a position to state the results of his deliberations on the problem of Japanese competition?

The Government are pressing on as quickly as possible with their consideration of this matter, but I regret that I am not yet in a position to make a statement.

Is my right hon. Friend satisfied that he is not showing any undue haste in this matter?

I am never satisfied with anything.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware that, as the result of trade conversations between the French and Swedish Governments, it has been agreed that the compensating exchange tax of 15 per cent. on Swedish imports into France shall be abolished; and what progress has been made through our trade conversations with the French towards a similar result?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. As regards the second part representations have been made to the French Government in regard to the 15 per cent. tax and other forms of discrimination against this country, but a satisfactory settlement has not yet been reached.

As, this matter has been under consideration for some long time, could my right hon. Friend now indicate that he is hopeful of a real and satisfactory solution within a reasonable period of time?

I would not like to make any prophecy, but only three days ago we were discussing the matter in detail with representatives of the French Government.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he has any information to show in which countries there is in existence legislation which prevents the opening of price-cutting chain stores in towns below a certain minimum population; and, if not, whether he will arrange to obtain information as to the effects of such legislation with a view to introducing similar legislation in this country to protect the retailers in small towns against large scale competition?

My attention has been drawn to certain regulations prohibiting the opening of uniform price shops in Germany, but I see no need for the introduction of similar legislation in this country.

asked the President of the Board of Trade the price of chilling steers at Buenos Aires per kilo

asked the President of the Board of Trade the total increase in price of one year's imports of beef, mutton and lamb at the rate of 2d. per pound increase on the basis of imports agreed to by the Ottawa Agreements?

According to reports from Buenos Aires published in the Anglo-South American Bank Circular the price of chilling steers was 24 cents per live kilo on the 2nd November, 1932, and 25 cents on the 8th March. I have no quotation for the Liniers Market more recent than for the week ended 18th February when the price of special frigorifico steers was 15 to 17 cents per live kilo as compared with 15 to 16.8 cents for the week ended 4th November, 1932.

asked the President of the Board of Trade the wholesale prices of chilled and frozen meat at Smithfield Market on 1st November, 1932, and at the present time?

As the answer involves a table of figures I will circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

If it be assumed that, on the basis of the Ottawa Agreements, our total imports of chilled or frozen beef, mutton and lamb, including imports from the Dominions, amount in 1933 to 17,750,000 cwts., an increase of 2d. per lb. on the value of these imports would represent about £16,500,000.

May I ask what the total cost would be if the right hon. Gentleman included the 2d. per lb. increase on home produce as well as imported?

No, Sir, I have not worked out that sum, but, if my hon. Friend would like me to do so, I will do my best.

Is it not the intention of the Government to increase the price of home produce as well as imported?

Will not this increase in price help our export markets?

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will make a statement as to the result of the recent discussions with the trade mission from the Argentine Republic?

I am not yet in a position to make a statement as the discussions are still proceeding.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether, in view of the recent imposition of an embargo on British products into Greece, unless in exchange for Greek products and under a permit issued by the Bank of Greece, the Government propose to introduce similar retaliatory measures in respect of that country?

The rule that certain kinds of goods can only be imported into Greece in exchange for Greek products applies to imports from all sources and representations have been made to the Greek Government based on the Commercial Treaty with Greece of 1926 that any restriction on the importation of British goods shall not be proportionately greater than that applicable to goods of other foreign origin and that existing contracts shall be respected. I have noted my hon. Friend's suggestion and the situation will continue to be watched.

is my right hon. Friend aware that the ineffectiveness of the Board of Trade and Foreign Office in dealing with this question of foreign embargoes is causing a great deal of anxiety, and can he foreshadow a more resolute policy by the Government in this matter?

I am not aware of the facts stated by my hon. Friend. So far as we are concerned, we have to remember that if we are making arrangements with foreign countries they must be arrived at by agreement.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware that the proposal to set up a departmental committee on coupon trading is already operating adversely on employment; and when the committee will be appointed and the terms of reference?

I have received one representation to the effect stated in the first part of the question. The terms of reference and composition of the committee will be announced as soon as possible.

Has the right hon. Gentleman any idea when the composition will be complete?

I hope next week.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he can make any further statement with regard to the negotiations for financing the construction of the Danish Falster bridge in this country?

No, Sir. I am not yet in a position to make any statement on this matter.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether the Government's policy of scientific expansion includes a process of currency inflation or any similar monetary expedient for maintaining or raising the price level?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply which I gave to his question on the 2nd March, to which I cannot usefully add.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the hopes of the business community were raised by his definite statement, last autumn and on the 16th February, that the Government would raise sterling prices; and is he aware that those hopes are turning to despair in the absence of any positive declaration of policy by the Government?

I never made any statement that the Government would raise sterling prices. My statement was that the Government desired to see sterling prices rise. I have on various occasions explained the policy in that connection, and have pointed out that, if we had not succeeded in raising sterling prices, at any rate we had prevented them from falling, as gold prices have fallen.

By the use of the £150,000,000.

Has the right hon. Gentleman yet discovered what is the meaning of the policy of "scientific expansion"? If not, will he ask the Prime Minister, because it was his phrase?

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware that ready-made doors were imported from the Soviet Union from August, 1932, to January, 1933, inclusive, at prices averaging from 2.4 to 3.5 shillings each; and if, in view of the effect on the builders' woodwork industry, he will consider obtaining powers to prevent competition of this kind similar to the powers conferred as a result of the Ottawa Agreement?

I understand that ready-made doors have been imported from the Soviet Union approximately at the prices stated. As regards the latter part of the question, I am not in a position to make any statement at the present time.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that this import of Russian doors is inflicting widespread distress on the smaller manufacturers in this country?

Representations have been made to us from both sides on the question.

Is it not a fact that the keenest competition comes from Sweden and America, and not from Soviet Russia?

Is it not reasonable that traders in this country should get at least the same protection as Canadian traders are getting out of the Ottawa Agreements?

asked the President of the Board of Trade what are the statistics in his possession as to our invisible exports to Russia, covering chartering of steamers, insurance, etc., for the years 1930, 1931 and 1932?

I regret that such information as we possess is not sufficiently precise to justify me in giving it to the House.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether, in viek of the complaints of Clydebank Town Council and other local authorities regarding the action of Glasgow Corporation in suspending, for reasons of economy, the chemical treatment of sewage entering the River Clyde at Dalmuir, he will request the Glasgow Corporation to reconsider the decision, in view of the danger to public health caused by the suspension of chemical treatment?

The Department of Health for Scotland have received no complaints regarding the action of Glasgow Corporation in suspending the chemical treatment of sewage entering the River Clyde from the sewage works at Dalmuir, and I am informed that the Medical Officer of Health of Glasgow is of opinion that there has been no danger to public health arising from the action taken. The matter was, however, considered by the Corporation on the 16th instant, when they approved a recommendation that provision be made in their next year's estimates for the resumption of the chemical treatment of the sewage at the sewage works as from the 1st June, 1933.

Are we to take it that the chemical treatment was entirely supererogatory and useless?

No, sir; that conclusion cannot be drawn from my answer.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether, in view of the financial straits in which smallholders in Peeblesshire are placed owing to the condition of agriculture in Scotland and the fact that their rents are now the highest in the locality, he will consider making reductions in these rents for the current year similar to those recently made by private owners of adjacent properties?

I assume that the holdings to which my hon. and gallant Friend refers are those situated on Haystoun Estate belonging to the Department of Agriculture for Scotland. I have no information regarding the rents paid to owners of adjacent properties. The Department's tenants at Haystoun are entitled to have their rents revised periodically by the Scottish Land Court, and I find that of the 19 holders concerned, 15 qualified not less than two years ago to claim such revision of rent but have not exercised their right. Of the remaining four, three will be eligible to claim revision at Martinmas, 1933, and the other at Martinmas, 1934. In the circumstances I am not satisfied that it is necessary to take action on the lines suggested in the question.

Are we to take it that there are certain individuals here who have a right to claim a reduction of rent, and make no claim?

They had the right to apply for a revision of rent.

But they did not make any application?

They did not exercise their right to have their rent revised.

Is this not evidence that those individuals did not know that they had the right?

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how much land is at present available in Midlothian for holdings for unemployed miners; and whether applications from men of other trades will be considered?

Thirty-one acres have been made available at Oakbank in Midlothian. Nine acres or thereby are still unlet. Applications in this and other areas are open to others than miners.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland the number of smallholdings in Scotland now and in 1931; and the number of unsatisfied applications in the possession of his Department?

The only figures available in precise form are those based on the agricultural returns taken by the Department of Agriculture for Scotland on the 4th June in each year, which show that, in the years 1931 and 1932, the numbers of agricultural holdings in Scotland exceeding one acre and not exceeding 50 acres in extent were 50,495 and 50,590 respectively. The number of unsatisfied applications for new holdings on the Department's lists at 28th February, 1933, was 5,329.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether the report covering the inquiry into the Milk Marketing (Scotland) Scheme has been prepared; and whether it is intended to publish it, and when?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. I have considered the report and hope to be in a position to submit the scheme to Parliament at an early date; but I do not propose to publish the report.

In view of the extensive data and evidence submitted during this inquiry, will the right hon. Gentleman reconsider the question of publishing, and will he, on considering the report, whether it is published or otherwise, bear in mind that part of the Milk Reorganising Committee's Report which states that substantial advantages would be gained from a comprehensive scheme covering the whole of Great Britain?

The reports of those inquiries under the Act are confidential, and I can give no assurance that my view on submission of the report will be revised or altered.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland the total amount of Government subsidies paid to local authorities and private companies or persons, respectively, for housing since 1st November, 1918, to 31st December, 1932; and the total number of houses erected over the same period?

During the period in question the total amounts of State subsidies paid by the Department of Health for Scotland in respect of houses built or reconstructed by local authorities and by private companies or persons were £13,375,668 and £2,845,011 respectively. The total number of houses built or reconstructed during the above period with State assistance was 155,200.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland the number of local authorities that have decided to put into operation a means test on tenants in municipal houses in reply to the recent circular sent out by his Department?

I am aware from recent Press notices that a number of local authorities have under consideration the question of putting into operation a means test for the tenants of their houses, but the Department of Health for Scotland are not yet in a position to say how many local authorities have come to a definite decision in the matter.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he is aware that local licensing authorities in Scotland only possess powers to make regulations ensuring safety in cinemas, and that therefore these authorities have no power to require licensees to exhibit only films passed by the British Board of Film Censors or to regulate the admission of children and young persons under the age of 16 years to see films passed by the Board as suitable for exhibition to adults only; and what action he proposes to take to protect the public, and more especially children and young persons, from the exhibition of unsuitable films?

I am advised that the legal position in Scotland is as stated in the first part of the question, though I am not aware that the matter has been the subject of judicial decision. As regards the latter part of the question, legislation would be required to change the present position, and I cannot give any undertaking about this. I am, however, at present engaged in reviewing the whole question.

Does my right hon. Friend think that the children and young persons of Scotland are having fair consideration in this matter, when one remembers that, for over 10 years there have been regulations under the English Home Office which have protected many children and young persons from the exhibition of unsuitable films?

Without giving any definite opinion on the subject, agree that it requires close consideration; and, as I have said in my answer to the Noble Lady, the whole matter is receiving my careful consideration at the moment.

asked the Secretary for Mines, if the committee he has set up to inquire into the overwinding accidents in mines have commenced their inquiries; and if he can state the approximate date when a report will be made?

The committee was only appointed on the 15th February and has already held one meeting. The hon. Member will recognise that this is a highly technical inquiry which will involve the taking of much evidence and that I cannot at present forecast the date of its conclusion.

asked the Secretary for Mines if he has been in communication with the Mining Association in regard to the wages question after July next?

On this question generally, I have nothing to add to the reply I gave on the 23rd February to a question by the hon. Member for Ince (Mr. G. Macdonald) and to supplementary questions which followed.

Is the Minister for Mines aware that there is much anxiety in the coalfields over the attitude of the Mining Association, and will not the Government take some steps to get this question discussed?

I am constantly in touch with the Mining Association about a variety of matters, including this one.

asked the Lord President of the Council if he is prepared to make available to the House the latest report of the Fuel Research Board on the commercial possibilities of producing oil from coal by the processes of low-temperature carbonisation and of hydrogenation?

The commercial possibilities of the processes referred to by the hon. Member can only be assessed after reasonably large-scale experiments are carried out under commercial conditions and labour and other costs carefully determined, and in general the Fuel Research Board has not been in a position to do more than report upon technical progress made, and to indicate the factors upon which commercial success depends. As regards low temperature carbonisation, of which process oil is not the main product, the economic factors which must be taken into consideration vary according to local conditions, such as the cost of raw material available, the price and markets for the products—coke, gas and tar—cost of labour, etc., as well as of the capabilities of the particular type of plant. The general question is discussed in the Annual Report of the Fuel Research Board for the year ended the 31st March, 1931. The results of tests on a number of plants have been published from time to time. I am sending the hon. Member a list of the reports on these tests, which give technical data from which a judgment can be made of the suitability of the plant for any set of local conditions. The Fuel Research Board have not reported in detail on the commercial possibilities of the hydrogenation process, though a reference to the matter will be found in the Annual Report of the Board for the year ended the 31st March, 1932.

As my right hon. Friend is aware, there is great public interest in this matter. Does he not think that progress is much more likely to be made if the Government would make it clear whether or not they are prepared to support financially the development of the matter?

asked the President of the Board of Trade the total amount of coal sent from this country to the Irish Free State from the passing of the Import Duties Act to 1st March, 1933, and for the same period in the previous year?

During the 12 months ended February, 1933, the domestic exports of coal from the United Kingdom consigned to the Irish Free State amounted to 1,778,000 tons, as compared with 2,406,000 tons in the preceding 12 months.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say from what other countries the Irish Free State is importing coal?

They are filling up the gap left by the absence of British coal by coal imported from Germany and Poland.

Does that represent in value a greater amount than has been obtained from the Irish Free State in the form of duties?

I could not say without notice.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the approximate loss to the Revenue if the present system of collecting 75 per cent. of the Income Tax in January were abolished and the former system of collecting only 50 per cent. were reinstituted?

The cost of such a change depends upon the yield of Income Tax in the coming year, and this is not a matter that I can enter into in advance of my Budget statement.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer under what statutory authority the Treasury acts in compelling the Bank of England to make ways and means advances to the Government or to accept repayment of money so borrowed?

My hon. Friend is mistaken in supposing that the Treasury has power to compel the Bank of England to lend money to the Government. Statutory authority is required to enable the Treasury to borrow from the Bank of England and for the Bank of England to lend to the Treasury. Such authority is given by Consolidated Fund and Appropriation Acts from time to time. One condition invariably imposed by Parliament is that borrowing in the form of ways and means advances must be repaid not later than the next succeeding quarter to that in which the money was borrowed.

I beg to move, to leave out "148,700," and to insert instead thereof "148,600."

I should like to ask one or two questions of the Financial Secretary to the War Office with regard to the numbers provided in these Estimates. He told us, when introducing the Estimates, that it was not necessary to apologise for the present size of the British Army. I want to ask whether any consideration has been given to the new circumstances caused by the new quota scheme of the Prime Minister for the Continent? We have had proposals in which the various States have been allotted quotas of so many men. Where exactly do we come in that quota scheme? When the announcement was made, it was said that it was a Continental business, but that subsequently the forces of other States would be brought into some kind of alignment. As I understand the scheme, there were numbers of 200,000, 100,000 and 50,000 men and so forth allotted on a militia basis of eight months' training. We have a Regular Army and a Territorial Army. If one takes the Regular Army we come in somewhere about the same as Spain, we are rather less than Rumania, but more than Yugoslavia. Taking in the Territorial Force, we are above everybody except Russia. I do not know upon what principle those allocations have been made. I do not know whether it is the Socialist principle, to each according to his needs and from each according to his means. I should like to know whether, as a matter of fact, the War Office have considered these Establishments in the light of those proposals.

It is always said that our Army exists mainly as a police force for the British Empire. I would also ask the hon. Gentleman to consider what possible threats there are to the British Army. If the proposals of the Prime Minister come off and there are considerable reductions on the Continent, I take it that we shall want some reduction in the Army at home and also in the Army overseas. I hope, therefore, that the hon. Member will tell us something about the matter. I would also like to ask him about some smaller specific points, one of which is in regard to the increase in the numbers of the Royal Engineers. On page 10 of the Estimates a slight increase is shown in the numbers of the Royal Engineers, and the note says:

"The increase is due mainly to a revision of establishments of Fortress Companies abroad."

I should like the hon. Member to explain where those fortress companies are and the reasons which have led to a revision of these establishments upwards. The next point is one which I raised last year. It is the question of the very high percentage of officers and non-commissioned officers to rank and file in our regimental establishments. It is now something like one officer or non-commissioned officer to every five men. It rises in the Cavalry to something like one to every four and in the Household Cavalry one to every three. In a modern army, with the intelligent and educated men we have in the ranks, there should not be the need for so large a proportion of officers or non-commissioned officers. The answer which is always given to me is that it is necessary because we have a small Army which is only a nucleus and that therefore if you have a large number of officers and non-commissioned officers you have room for expansion. That may be so, but it seems to me to affect the training of the men to have such a large proportion of officers. How does that apply to the Cavalry? The establishments of the Cavalry show a higher proportion of officers and non-commissioned officers than any other arm of the Service, and the Household Cavalry the highest of all. Whatever cause there may be for retaining the amount of Cavalry which we now have—I take it that the plea will be put up that it is retained mainly for possible operations in uncivilised countries—I do not imagine that anyone expects that cavalry would be used to a very large extent if there were a European War again. I think that the lessons of the last War were against it. It is very unlikely that you would want a rapid expansion of cavalry. Certainly you would not want a rapid expansion of the Household Cavalry. Therefore, there is a clear case for a considerable cutting down of the numbers of officers and noncommissioned officers in the Cavalry units.

Taking the general question of numbers, there has not been any very large increase, but—the question was raised by one of my hon. Friends—we ought to be expecting a steady decrease, due to the fact that mechanisation and so forth makes troops more mobile and improvements in armaments make them more effective. While the hon. Member says that he does not apologise in the least for these Estimates—he referred back to Mr. Tom Shaw—we expect there to be a steady decrease. I am aware that our establishments at home very largely depend upon our establishments in India, and that any real reduction of our forces at home must depend on settling the Indian difficulties. It may be that as long as we have an army in India and also have to keep an army at home we cannot get any effective reduction, but it must be remembered that in addition to our regular troops there is the Territorial Force, and the Reserve, and if the proposal for a limitation of continental forces comes into effect and some of the work which now falls to the Regular Army is handed over to the Territorials, we ought to be able to see a considerable reduction in armaments. I am moving a reduction in Vote A in order to voice our general objection to armaments and our wish that they should be reduced. We propose to go to a vote upon it, not upon the other items in the Army Estimates, and in this way register our protest against an expenditure we think is unjustified if the Government are right when they say that they cannot find money for other objects.

I want to ask one or two questions of the Financial Secretary, and I am encouraged to do so by his statement the other night that he had made notes of every speech and intended to give a reply. In looking through his reply I can find no answer to one point except that the matter is being considered. In the Estimates it says that there has been a change in the organisation of the battalion and that it now comprises a headquarter wing, one machine gun company, three rifle companies, and is to have four anti-tank weapons and two Lewis gun machines for anti-aircraft defence. This point was raised by the hon. Member for Londonderry (Mr. Ross) and the hon. and gallant Member for Knutsford (Brigadier-General Makins) and the only reply given was that the matter is still under consideration—

This is the Vote for men and does not deal with the number of guns.

I wanted to deal with the number of guns, but if that is out of order I will leave it. But there are certain things shown in these Estimates which are not really there. My complaint is that the Army Estimates should not show things which are not really there or which are represented by other things. It is about time we knew that the Army Estimates represented what was true and the things that were there. I do not suppose that the War Office have given the Financial Secretary any answer to this point and I must protest that the matter has not received proper attention. We have a small Army and the least we can do is to see that it is properly equipped. You cannot organise these things at the last moment, and it is about time that we gave up sending out armies improperly equipped when any little frontier trouble breaks out. It took Lord Kitchener 10 years to organise against the Mahdi in Egypt; and we have no right to risk that sort of thing again. Our soldiers should be properly equipped. The War Office with their swollen staff and their pigeon holes are always capable of looking after themselves, and it is up to us to see that the men are properly armed and equipped.