BRITAIN'S CALL FOR MEN

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 97, 17 January 1918, Page 5

BRITAIN'S CALL FOR MEN

THE MAN-POWER BILL RESPONSE MEANS CERTAIN VICTORY London, January 15. Speaking in the House of Commons on the Man-Power Dill, Sir Auckland Geddes, Director of National Service, said: Our enemies are staking everything on our failure to solve tlie manpower problem, a successful solution of which will mean certain victory. Much, ho added, had already been accomplished. The National Service Ministry in December filled 37,000 vacancies, with men and 36;000 with women, 'flio co-operation of the Trade Committee and trade unions wn.i of the greatest value in assisting substitution. The Army had established seven centres for discharged soldiers, at which the Ministry was establishing Employment Exchanges, to • enablo tho discharged men to engage in work of national importance, and also to bring back to civilian life men of low medical categories, who were not immediately wanted for the Army. Tho Government had considered the casualty problem carefully, and was determined to stamp out carelessness in regard to human life. He warned the pacifists who were attempt-ig-.i to stir up strife in the munition i factories that they would encounter a surprising blast of hatred and contempt On the Defensive. I Sir Auckland Geddes's speech in ini troducing the Bill occupied one and a j half hours in delivery. It was a inasi terly survey of Britain's resources and 1 her military and industrial needs. The ! most important declaration was his ! statement that until America's weight I began to tell decisively _tho_ role of tho j Biitish and French armies in the West I would he on the defensive. Notwilhi standing Russia's defection tho rej sources which the Allies and America. Factually had mobilised or had in re- ' serve in civil life were sufficient to j assume victory. Only a psychological i catastrophe such as had hefaJlen Rusj sin could save the Central Powers when ! tho full force of America camo into i play. The endurance of the Allies would he justified by a superiority which would be sure to l.erald complete victory. Britain had four million men on the rolls to-day—Aus.-N.Z. Cable i Assn.