NATIONAL RESOURCES

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2519, 21 July 1915, Page 10

NATIONAL RESOURCES

• . COMPULSORY REGISTRATION SOUGHT. , 111 the House of Representatives yesterday, Mr. A. M. Myers (Auckland East) gave notice _to ask tho Trirao Minister whether, ill view of the passing of the National Registration Bill in Great Britain, and the statement in the House of Lords by the Marquis of Lansdowiie that the British Government would be pleased if the Dominions thought fit to follow Britain in this matter,' the New Zealand Government will'take into their immediate consideration the advisability of introducing a Bill providing for the registration of our national resources (1) by making provision for : the compulsory registration of all' men between tho ages of_fifteen and sixty-five, asking for particulars', as l to age and present employment, and ascertaining from those who are desirous of voluntarily offering their, services what.special form of. labour is desired other than that in which they\ are. at. present, engaged; and (2) by making provision for a register of tho industrial, commercial, and agricultural resources of New Zealand, showing what industries have been affected by enlistments in the Expeditionary Force, and containing, inter alia (a) the number of men engaged in each occupation, (b) the fewest number of men required generally to carry on our primary and other industries, and (c) the estimated number who could be released for service in directions which would assist tho Imperial Government in the successful prosecution of our Empire's share in tho war without interfering in any way with the production of our "national food supplies and industries, or impairing the efficient conduct of- tho Dominion's trade and commerce?