SIR JOHN SIMON'S ATTACK

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2723, 18 March 1916, Page 5

SIR JOHN SIMON'S ATTACK

CONSCRIPTION DISAPPOINTING,

By Teletrrapli—Prees AsEOciation-Copyrlght (Rec. March 17, 10 p.m.) , London, March 17. In the House of Commons, Sir John Simon declared that it was urgent that the Government should state the_ feize of the army that is aimed at to avoid damnging.the nation's business and financial stability. It was now admitted that conscription was disappointing in its Itsults. Lord Derby had grossly exaggerated the numbers who had not enlisted. His figures were ridiculous, and there was .never any statistical basis for the introduction of conscription, which had proved neither businesslike in operation nor fruitful in results, and' any chance of compulsion becoming popular had been destroyed by the ineptitude of its advocates and administrators. The co-ordination of all services and industries was necessary if the country was to put forth its utmost strength. The married men had been given to understand there wore immense reserves of unmarried men slackers yet available. _ Mr. Walter Lone (President of the Local Government Board) declared that the people in Britain would read Sir John Simon's speech with dismay, for it represented the view of the minority.