The Daily News. FRIDAY, JANUARY 18, 1918. BRITAIN'S MAN POWER PROBLEM.

Taranaki Daily News, 18 January 1918, Page 4

The Daily News. FRIDAY, JANUARY 18, 1918. BRITAIN'S MAN POWER PROBLEM.

The vital importance of the man power problem, which has now become a great matter of urgency in Britain, is evidenced by the statement of Sir Auckland Geddes (Minister for National Service) that its solution means "certain victory," and that the Central Powers are staking everything on Britain's failure. Owing to Russia's defection, this momentous question has become the central war problem, the most urgent need being men for the army. The release of over a million and. a half of enemy soldiers from the East front for service on the West Is a formidable hurdle to negotiate, especially as the German commanders are utterly reckless of the wastage of their man power when they are bent on attaining their ends. There is hpt the slightest reason for alarm at the turn events have taken, for the Allies are still substantially superior to the enemy as reI gards men. At the same time it will be imperative to strengthen the rear lines to the utmost and to have in readiness as large a number of trained reserves as possible. The Allies' policy is to act on the defensive until the full weight of America is available, and then the task of achieving final victory should be well within their grasp. Under the altered circumstances the Allies look to Britain to bear the brunt of the coming strain. Fortunately the British army is stronger than ever, but the provision of rearward services necessitates placing more men in the field, and the great question of the moment is solving the problem of how this is to be done. There lias never been an emergency of this nature yet'that Britain has not overcome, and the energy that is'being thrown into the task shows that the position is regarded as one that demands prompt und effective treatment. It is gratifying to learn that the Trades Unions are rendering assistance of the greatest value, and that discharged soldiers are being engaged in work of national importance. This new man-power scheme means the release from industrial and other occupations of men fit for service in the army, whose places will be taken by men physically unfit for army work and by women. It is one of those supreme teats of organising ability which Invariably 'bring forth in the Motherland the right sort of men for the purpose, and as "certain victory" depends on the solution of the problem, that solution we may confidently expect will materialise. Anyone wlio doubts this

uhould look bad: to see what the 'Motherland has done since the war commenced. In August 1!) M the British army, as u lighting force, consisted of only "200,00(1 men, whose ammunition needs were supplied by three Government factories, augmented by a few private firms. Contrast this with Sir Auckland Geddes" statement that the jDmpire has raised seven and a-half million troops, the Dominions and Colonies contributing !>OO,000. .Instead of having three arsenals Britain lias ninety, working day and night., while four thousand controlled lirms arc engaged exclusively in producing munitions. Besides providing the heavy guns and heavy shells for tire army's use and for the use of our Allies there was the machinery to provide, as well as the bands to operate that machinery and carry out the stupendous task of turning out a supply of munitions adequate for all requirements. This colossal undertaking was achieved, the whole nation bending their wills and their energies to the task. Only those who have organised and carried out this colossal enterprise can have any real conception of what jt meant; but the need was imperative, and the work was done in spite of the widespread upheaval of existing industries, in spite bf trade \mion conventions, and notwithstanding that the skilled manhood of the country had been heavily drawn upon for the firing line. Never was there such a striking example of the adage that ''where there's a will, there's a way/' In the face of these magnificent achievements there is no room for doubt that the manpower problem will be solved equally satisfactorily, although every new demand on Britain's resources becomes increasingly hard to meet. Britain needs immediately from 420,000 to 450,000 additional men, and it is a coincidence that a, Brazilian Senator recently stated that Brazil would participate in the fighting in Europe and already had 400,000 volunteers enrolled. Unfortunately these are no nearer being available than the American contingents, but it emphasises the truth of Sir Auckland Geddcs' statement that the solution of the manpower problem of the moment will mean certain victory in the future. The Minister for National Service lias placed the position fairly and squarely before the nation, and there is every reason to expect that his proposals will accomplish the desired result. After all it is not a great deal ho is asking of the nation, mid compared with the end in view it Is a mere trifle. iSurely it should act as a spur to Canada and Australia to hurry forward all the help possible. 'Phose who ' expected startling results Irom a great Allied offensive in the spring may be disappointed, but those tvho look ahead and take a broad view of the situation will be content to see a successful defensive while German manpower is being whittled away, leaving the Allies to make good their aims with American help. It is a$ well that the people of the Empire should know what the true position is, so that there may lie no feeling of depression, but a stimulation to help in every possible way and 1o possess their souls in patience, confident of the ultimate triumph of the cause which they have so loyally embraced and helped towards fruition.