BRITISH MILITIAMEN

Evening Star, Issue 23374, 18 September 1939, Page 7

BRITISH MILITIAMEN

SECOND CONTINGENT CALLED UP STEADY STREAM OF RECRUITS GOOD ORGANISATION AND RAPID TRAINING (British Official Wireless.) Press Association —By Telegraph—Copyright RUGBY, September 16. Notices calling tip the second contingent of militiamen came into force yesterday. Throughout the day men be- . tween the ages of 20 and 21 reported at barracks in high spirits. Many were welcomed by the first contingent, which has completed its preliminary training and is now being drafted for technical instruction. The accommodation for militiamen consists of excellent huts, and after September none will be under canvas. Many men reported one day early in case the uncertain train services made them late. Meanwhile voluntary enlistment proceeds rapidly, and regimental pools are growing fast. A great, rush took place during the crisis before the declaration of war, and recruiting has now settled down to a steady stream. A feature of the formation of the reserves of manpower is the control of enlistment, resulting in order and rapid training. RESTRICTED NIGHT LIFE PETROL SOON TO BE RATIONED IN BRITAIN (British Official Wireless.) I, RUGBY, September 15. Although night life in the West End is still severely restricted owing to the black-out regulations, Londonsis rapidly accommodating itself to wartime conditions. The reopening of theatres and ■ cinemas in Central London until 6 p.m. and in other suburbs and the rest of the country until 10 p.m. marks an important?relaxation of the restrictions. This has been warmly welcomed. of the lighting restrictions on vehicles also permits . freer movement at night, although this will be offset by the rationing of petrol, which takes effect from to-morrow week. Motor car owners and others are looking to other methods of transport, and a heavy demand for bicycles has re- ' suited in a rush of orders to manufacturers at a time of the year which is normally quiet in the Midlands, where the industry is largely centred “ Black-out ” conditions have also con--1 verted cyclists, prospective and actual, to the use of rear lamps, for which there is also a great demand. PERSONAL INJURIES ACT SCALE OF GRANTS FOR CIVILIANS (British Official Wireless.) ' RUGBY, September 16. The Pensions Ministry, has presented a scheme to'Parliament-under the Personal'lnjuries Act, setting out the scale of grants for civilians physically injured ■ as a direct result of warlike operations. The provisions apply both to members of the civil defence units and civilians ordinarily and substantially dependent on their own earnings, and covers dependents if death results. Allowances will be paid weekly, with no test of means, temporary payment being due where injury causes incapacity extending over seven days. If the injury proves severe the case, will bo transferred to the Ministry of Pensions for the assessment of the pension and fkmily allowances. Payments vary only with the size of the family and whether the person is treated in. the hospital or at home. For example, a man, his wife, and two children will receive 28s weekly while hospital treatment continues. The scale laid down for private soldiers varies with the actual extent of disablement, wAh a maximum of 32s 6d weekly, plus family allowances. Widows’ pensions are fixed at from 15s 6d to 22s 6 a week, with 5s for each, child under 15 years. SPANIARDS SENTENCED TRESPASSING NEAR GIBRALTAR GIBRALTAR, September 16. Commandante Emiliano Tejaclo, who helped General Maija to defend Madrid in the course of the Spanish war, and an Unnamed Spaniard, were sentenced to three months’ imprisonment and fined £SO for trespassing near the defences. BERLIN AIR MINISTRY DAMAGED BY EXPLOSION BERLIN, September 17. An explosion occurred during the nightly black-out to-day at the Air Ministry Headquarters. The cause and the extent of the damage arc unknown. The streets were deserted at the time. The propaganda department stated that the persons responsible will be energetically sought, WARS SPREAD RAPIDLY WASHINGTON, September 16. Mrs Roosevelt, in a statement to the' Press, said the minute wars begin they spread. “ Nobody knows whether this country can keep out.” She added that the problems involved must be met by the world as a whole, “ not just by the people who fight the war.” EX-KAISER’S GRANDSON KILLED ON EASTERN FRONT BERLIN, September 16. Prince Oscar (junior) of Prussia, grandson of the ex-Kaiser, was killed in action in Poland «liile lending a charge as lieutenant. He is the first Hohonzoilern victim of jhe war. He