THE BRITISH ARMY

Wairarapa Times-Age, 4 May 1938, Page 6

THE BRITISH ARMY

NEW ENLISTMENT SCHEME ANNOUNCED LONG SERVICE FOR PICKED MEN RECRUITING GENERALLY AT HIGH LEVEL (British Official Wireless). ' (Recd This Day, 11.5 a.m.) RUGBY, May 3. A new long-service enlistment scheme, with increases in pay, family allowances and pensions rights is announced by the War Minister. It is designed to make the army more attractive to men desirous of making it their career, and will be limited to 5500 men per year. The men may enlist for twelve years and will have the right, subject to good character and fitness, of continuing for a further nine years. Men applying for the new enlistment must be between eighteen and twentyfour years of age. The number is limited to maintain the strength of the Reserve. Speaking of the scheme, Mr Here Belisha said recruiting for the Army was at a rate which had not been known for some time. Though with increased demands for other national defence,, services, the task of finding the 53,000 recruits wanted this year was not becoming easier. A total of 40,000 Territorials is also required. In the case of the Territorial Army it could be brought to strength at once, but for its Territorial basis. For example, some units could probably be filled four or five times over. A great many units were up to strength, and even 20 per cent over establishment.