Great Britain

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXVIV, Issue 25, 5 January 1916, Page 8

Great Britain

LORD DERBY'S REPORT. OV|R HALF A MILLION UNMARRIED UNATTESTED. i: , Unitrj) Press Association. ) f'-i'i | I , < (Received 0.10 a.m.) . .London, January '4. Lord Derby's report shows that 1,150.000 uninarrieds and 1,670,2(30 marrieds have enlisted, attested, or were rejected, out of’ ’2.170.231 , gnmarrieds, and 2,832,210 marrieds who are available; 651,000 unstarrecl unmarried are unaccounted for. The report states that many difficulties have arisen from starring which has been a distinct hindrance instead of an assistance, especially in rural areas, where many claimed to be starred, and who had no claims. Starring had been unreliable and must be carefully investigated in all industries to prevent availables frotm escaping. Many marrieds would have enlisted, but are barred by domestic, financial, and business obligations, especially professional and commercial men, who are obliged to meet rent, insurances, and loan interest. Many unmarried men are in the same position, Another deterrent was the unfairness in that some men were enlisting while others secured lucrative employment. A very large number are willing to enlist “if so-and-so enlisted.” The canvass distinctly shows that it is not the want of courage that is keeping the men hack, there being abundant evidence ot determination to see the war through to a successful conclusion. In conclusion, commenting on the 651,160 unstarred, unattested, and uninarrieds, Lord Derby says: “The number is far from negligible, and 1 am distinctly of the opinion that in order to redeem Mr Asquith’s pledge, it is impossible to bold the marrieds to attestation unless ( he service of the unmarriods is obtained by other means. The present system having failed to bring them to the colors, the starred and unmarried,s should be replaced by the older and the marrieds where possible. The list of reserved occupations is growing over-large.” Ho adds that 107,078 attested during the last four davs under the scheme.

A NEWSPAPER SEIZED, COAL MINERS UNEASY. (Received 8.15 a.m.) London, Linnary 1 The Scottish Socialist newspaper “Forward” has been seized for pub-

lishing a lull iccouu + of Mr Eh yd George’s Christmas speceh m Glasgow. 'i lie Daily Chronicle considers 11 1 1 seizure unjustdied as the nation is. entitled to know the attitude of the Clyde workers towards the Munitions I Act which the speech disclosed. ' A 1 r Winstonc, President of the South Wales Miners’ Association, said the executive was Against conscrii>tiou and added that it politicians were not careful they would stop the South Wales collieries. 'i’he Rhondda Valley tinners have confirmed the Executive’s dension.