RECRUITING SLUMP IN BRITAIN

Evening Post, Volume CXVII, Issue 71, 24 March 1934, Page 19

RECRUITING SLUMP IN BRITAIN

Keeruiting for the British Army has slumped so '< heavily that 7000 more are /wanted by the end of March to keep up the strength, but it looks as though the figure will not be reached.

- General Sir Cecil Romer, AdjutantGeneral 'of the Forces, in a statement 'to the War Office, said the.reason for .the slump was the, anti-army propaganda of well-meaning; but wrongheaded persons. Other causes are the ■rise in. .employment,' and the fact that vpeople did not realise that recruits ■'were needed.- ■ - ■ ■••■ •

i The country is now also facing the "lean 'years" following the war, in there was a definite decrease in ithe male population.

; The high standard required of recruits, physically, educationally, and morally is also responsible. .

."I do not intend to Teduee the recruiting standard unless forced to do so," Sir Cecil said.^/^ducationally we now ; have fairly \ intelligent' moii; The

really stupid man. has. no place in modem war. .

•"The Army's whole standard is now higher than ever before. We mu&t adhere to the physical standard, because experience shows, that the opposite policy is the most expensive method of recruiting." Fifty-two per "cent, of the men presenting themselves to the recruiting officers were below; the "required physical, standard, and in certain areas- in the industrial north the percentage of rejection, was as high as 68. Sir Cecil stated that the Manchester district had the worst percentage of rejections, which was ascribed to the fact that women were unwilling' to cook, and served up tinned food! Sir Cecil outlined steps, the War Office was,taking to arrest the decline lin recruiting, but he emphasised that there' would be -no lowering- of the physical standard, which sooner or later meant wastage, which would cost vioney. ■' \ ■ .