NATIONAL SERVICE

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 2959, 23 December 1916, Page 10

NATIONAL SERVICE

BOLD AND FAR-REACHING SCHEME

London, December 21

The "Daily Chronicle," in outlining the scope of the National War Service scheme, snvs it is of the boldest and far-reaching character. Men between. 17 and. 56 must place themselves at the disposal of the State for the duration of the 'war,' and conscnt 1o bo transfcired" to occupations and localities where their: services/are most required. It is essential that the State must have power to control and direct the mobility of Labour. There is rio guarantee at presmif that a liian released from tho ■ Army.'for agricultural work will return til the'tend'. . The Uov'or'ninent proposes that fulltrade union, wages shall be paid to war .workers,. in. addition to- a subsistence allqxvaiice of 2s. 6d. daily if the'men arc transferred, necessitating,the maintaining of two. homes.' A sc':rdule of indispensable'and non-essen-tial'trades will be drawn up, and thd n< it-essential will, be shut down without- compunction, in order that- the labour'may be available for .''munition and productive industries. The stimulation and mobility or labour is important as adding a quantity, estimated.at 40 percbnt;,..lo..the war work*-6_rs-.>t; any ;giycn time, of those idle owing; to: lack-of mobility. One of the chief ..functions: of ;ilr. Neville Cham-' bcrlain (Mayor of -Birmingham and Director-General 'of-. National Service) will be'tile-transferring of to places, where workers arc urgently -required. He will have the power to billet war Workers' in private houses. Important trade union-loaders will be associated 1 with'Mr:: Chamberlain's work. Following the analogy of Lord Derby's recruiting scheme, a'short time will be allowed for the voluntary enrolment qf war"workers.. If the necessary men are not forthcoming; the Government will appeal to Parliament for compulsory powers. —Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. BELGIAN RELIEF . • NEW ZEALAND'S GENEROSITY. (Reo. December 22, 6.10 p.m.) , / London, December 21. m.lb tho House of Commons the Duko if Norfolk, President of the Belgian Relief Committee, entertained 'at luncheon Mr. Massey, and expressed Jiis warm appreciation, of New. Zealandjs great, generosity. _ ■' , Mr. Massey, -in replying, said .New Zealand's contributions were the evidence of her, gratitude for the stand, tho gallant Belgians made against German aggression in the early stages of ifche war.—Aus.-N.Z'. Cable, Assn. . STAND BY NEW SOUTH WALES. • NO FURTHER SUMS TO BE SENT. (Rec. December-22, 9.25 p.m.) Sydney) December 22. Tho National Belgian Relief Fund 'has decided, owing to tho Germans commandeering and. requisi- . tioninp: food supplies in Belgium, not to ask for further contributions to the fund, or send forward, any further sums pending developments. The committee has £44,000 in hand. . NEW ZEALANDERS HONOURED MILITARY CROSS AND MEDALS. ' .London, December 21. . The Military Cross has been awarded 2nd Lieut. Vi., Stacker, of the New Zealand.'Artillery. . Five Military; Medals havei been' awarded to New; Zealanders.—Aus.-N.Z. - x 3ablo Assn.-' . IMPERIAL INSTITUTE FINANCIAL HELP WANTED. London, December 21. Members of the 'House of Lords are suddenly moving the Government to provide the Imperial Institute with adequate funds to extend its operations. The importance of the Institute's work in developing the trade and -resources of; the Empire was-emphasised.', .Lord Islington promised that the v Government would give the Institute more adequate supporfc~"TTie Times." - - 1 - : - v i MINERS RELEASED .UNFIT FOR GENERAL SERVICE. - London, December 21. The' War Office has released twelve thousand-miners unfit for general service;- atid ; they have returned, to, the mines—Aps.-N.Z. Cable Assn. IRISH RAILWAYMEN • RECEIVE INCREASED WAGES.; London, December 21. ; The Government has granted tho Irish_railwaymen ,7s- weekly increase in wages.—Reutcr.