ENTHUSIASM IN FRANCE.

Taranaki Daily News, 19 February 1916, Page 10

ENTHUSIASM IN FRANCE.

'The people of France realise that, they are ttt war. . . . The increase nf production of munition? is due to one cause, and one only, and that is the patriotic, enthusiasm which exists there." Tliis is the keynote to a report of exceptional interest which lias been drawn up by the British Mission recently appointed to enquire into labor conditions in tl 1 e munitions factories of France, wliore. although one-eighth of the land and five-eighths of tlie former metallurgical productivity are now in enemy hands, an enormous increase in the output of war material has taken place. "It is evident," says the report, "that as the war has proceeded the French nation has settled down with a determination and feeling' of set purpose to the fulfilment of the task allotted t.) it. There is 110 question but tha.t the nation is at war, and the dominant sentiment, not only of the men, but also o:' the women, is to carry the war to a successful termination. Everything else i; subordinated to this determination. Women, of whom ninny thousands are employed in munition factories, work with a good will which is most impressive; this spirit is also evident in th« case of male workers. The men have apparently welcomed the introduction of women into the factories, and are doing everything they call to instruct and cooperate with them in increasing the output of munitions. Xot. only have the women been introduced for tlie purpose of increasing the supply of labor, but also of freeing the men for service in the army."