RECRUITING IN BRITAIN

Wairarapa Times-Age, 2 March 1939, Page 7

RECRUITING IN BRITAIN

GOOD PROGRESS BEING MADE. REGULARS AND TERRITORIALS. (British Official Wireless.) RUGBY, February 28. According to a Parliamentary answer, the number of troops finally approved for the regular and territorial armies during the year ended December 31 last was 38,827 and 77,142 respectively, as against 26,094 and 45,350 in the preceding year. The strength of the territorial army is now greater than at any time since the war and the shortage in the regular army is being progressively reduced.

ARMY ESTIMATES. LONDON. March 1. The Army estimates show a gross total of £161,133,000. the maximum strength is to be 185.700. an inciease of 15,700 over 1938. The memorandum of the War Minister, Mr L. Hore-Belisha. announced the withdrawal of troops from the south Irish coast defences and from Lough Swilly. also of a cavalry unit and four infantry battalions from India. the dispatch temporarily of seven infantry battalions from Home to Palestine and a tank battalion to Egjpt. The establishment of horses has been reduced to 4455. compared with 28.742 in 1914. Recruiting was most satisfactory during the year, and it is expected that the intake up to March 31 will be 40.000. The estimated strength of the reserves is 139.000 men. which is considered adequate.