The Diminion. FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 1915. A STRAIGHT LEAD

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2575, 24 September 1915, Page 4

The Diminion. FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 1915. A STRAIGHT LEAD

The debate which took place in the House of Representatives last night on the second reading of the Na-tional-Registration Bill mado it quite clear that this highly-important war measure will receive very sympathetic consideration from members of all shades of political colour. The tone of the discussion was all that could bo desired. Thea'e was practically no difference of opinion regarding the principle of tlje Bill, and there seemed to be agreement as far las its main provisions are concerned. A note of urgency rang through the speeches. It was quite evident that the House realised that this is no time for halting procedure, ant! that in matters affecting our share in the war there must be no holding back. The Bill provides for a national stock-taking —a census of capacity—with the object of enabling fcho Dominion to do its duty in this unexampled crisis both to itself and to the Empire in the most eflioient manner possible. As tie Pf.j.mb Mwjbte.r remarked, caw conditions demand naw

sures. We have learned many lessons since the war started, and we cannot afford to bo tied down rigidly to plans and programmes which were devised twelve months ago. Wo must face the situation as it is to-day, and as it may develop in the future. It is most satisfactory to find the Prime Minister giving Parliament and the country a clear and emphatic lead on this vitally important issue. We cannot, he said, in effect, be content with anything short'of our utmost. Thcro was no need to be ashamed of what wc had done so far; but it was not by what we had done or proposed to do, but by our capacity that our duty must be gauged. He went on to say that he believed in the system of reinforcements; but he also believed that wo ought to placc every man we could'in the field, being always regardful of the necessity of maintaining our essential industries. This is the strongest and straightesfc lead that the Government has yet given in this matter, and the Prime Minister is to be congratulated upon his plain speaking as well as upon tho sound common sense of the'views to which he gave expression. He sees that tho ideas with which we entered upon the conflict aa-e not adequate to tho needs of the situation as it presents itself to the Empire at tho present moment, and he rightly points the way to greater efforts. One of tho objects of the National Registration Bill is to enable the Government fo judge as accurately as possible our capacity to send forces to aid in the struggle without causing any unnecessary disorganisation to those industries and undertakings whioh are essential to the production of foodstuffs and wool both for ourselves and for the Mother Country and her Allies. Mr. Massey explained that_ the provisions of the Bill do not compulsory service: but ho emphatically declared that it he was compelled to ohooso between oompulsion and defeat he would .choose compulsion every time. As regards the questions prescribed in the Bill, ho contended that they were pertinent, but not impertinent. As we have already pointed out there are one or two points that-might well bo reconsidered, and possibly when the Bill gets into Committee members may give them consideration. The Bill as a whole, however, is' a useful and a necessary measure, and the sooner it is 011 the Statute Book and the Government ill a position to give effect to its provisions, the better it will be for the country. •