MARRIED MEN CALLED

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2759, 1 May 1916, Page 5

MARRIED MEN CALLED

UP TO 35 YEARS OF AGE LABOUR LEAD ON NEW PROPOSALS By Telegraph—Press Association—Oopyright London, April 28. Married men in the Derby groups up to thirty-five, years of age have been called up. The Trade Union Congress has passed a resolution advising the unions to support tlie Government's recruiting proposals to raise 200,000'unattested married men.

CABINET . AND COMPULSION

POLITICAL SITUATION N OBSCURE (Sec. April 80, 5.5 p.m.)' London, April 29. The political situation is still obscure. The majority of the moderates deprecate the idea of Mr. Asgjiith relinquishing the Premiership, fearing that that would break up tho coalition and result in a general election without any clear-cut issue. Mr. Asquitli's statement on Tuesday is awaited with intonso interest. A Cabinet meeting has been called for to-morrow, and Mr. Lloyd George has consequently postponed his meeting at Conway for a week—he intended at that meeting to reply to his critics, including Mr. A. G. Gardiner, of the "Daily News" (who recently addressed a "scathiug open letter" to him). Even the Labour members now admit that_ the secret session was an absurdity, and unlikely to be repeated. The Labour Party's arrangements for a_ great recruiting campaign, wore practically complete before yesterday's fiasco, and there was great 'confidence in its results, but tho prospects now are not'promising. It is expected that Mr. Asquith will now negotiate with • the Labour leaders to secure their assent to a measuro for general compulsion. Sir Edward Carson's position in the House of Commons is improving daily. His cjarity of judgment and careful weighing of words and actions are giving force to tho Opposition's opinion for the first time since the coalition has been formed. The Kind; has visited London, and will interview Mr. Asquith and Lord Kitchener. Cabinet has had a two hours' sitting. CALL FOR TUNNEL MEN. TEN THOUSAND WANTED. (Rec. April SO, 5.5 p.m.) London, April 29. The War Offico is asking for ten thousand skilled_ miners for tunnelling work on tho various fronts.

CONSCRIPTION CAMPAIGN IN AUSTRALIA Sydney, April 29. The Australian Natives' Association and the Universal Service League are combining in favour of a conscription campaign. Tlioy are-preparing a monster petition to present to the Federal Government urging the necessity of universal military service.

THE RECRUITING SCHEME good Results where tried. Replying to ilio resolution of the Hoseneatii District Rccruiting Committee declaring that the valuntary system ol' recruiting .Jiaviug had a fair trial in this Dominion and failed, compulsory military servico should be introduced, the Right Hon. AY. F. Massey, Chairman of tile Recruiting Board, lias written tlio following letter: — "I think your meeting could not have been aware of the facts when it passed this resolution., Tlio whole trouble ia that the scheme of voluntary recruiting, as outlined by the Recruiting Board, has not had a fair trial in very' many districts. The board ha» apiplfl .ovjdeuca to shew that .wtecem tlis i>sn

scheme has been put into operation, and full effect has been given to personal canvass, a.marked improvement in recruiting has resulted, and sufficient men have been secured for present and future requirements. Unfortunately this improvement at present is restricted to juet thoso districts where the local bodies and. citizens have actively and sympathetically co-operated to give the new scheme that full and fair trial by which alone success can be aohieved.

"It is evident t'rom what has already been reported to tlie board that there are many eligible men who have not yet realised the seriousness of the call, and who only need the personal appeal to make them do so. The Recruiting Board will not Lesitato to ask Parliament for power to compel the men who do not come forward to play their part in the defence of our national existence. "J would again repeat what has been publicly emphasised by members of the Reoruiting Board almost daily throughout the Dominion, namely, that the personal canvass provided for under the new scheme is an absolutely necessary preliminary to any system of compulsion, should the time arrive to bring it into force. This is a work-.that must be done in any event, and the board holds that it is essentially a dnty that is cast on all citizens who are not otherwise eligible for service.—(Signed) W. I'. Massey, Chairman."