NATIONAL DEFENCE

Wairarapa Times-Age, 26 April 1939, Page 5

NATIONAL DEFENCE

THE CONSCRIPTION ISSUE IN BRITAIN REPORTED CONSIDERATION BY CABINET. ANTICIPATION OF EARLY DECISION. By Telegraph—Press Association —Copyright. LONDON, April 25. Reuter says it is understood that at last night’s Cabinet meeting there was general agreement in principle regarding the .desirability of conscription, but that the question of expediency was considered to be still open. The Cabinet sat for two hours and will meet again tomorrow. If a final decision is then reached, an announcement is likely to be made in the House of Commons on Thursday after consultation with other parties. It is felt that the possibility of securing a general agreement must depend on the rorm and extent of the scheme proposed. The Paris correspondent of the British United Press says it is believed in France that the British Government is on the eve of a decision regarding some form ot conscription and, in view of this, those in informed quarters express the opinion that Sir Neville Henderson has gone to Berlin to tell Herr Hitler that the move is not directed against Germany. A section of the French Press says that the British Cabinet discussed the matter today. The “Paris Soir” says that Britain is morally ready and has found her best recruiting sergeant in Adolf Hitler. Speaking in Manchester today, Mr James Maxton, leader of the Independent Labour Party, declared that conscription could be prevented if the Labour and Liberal Parties, combining with the progressive forces of the country, spoke out now. He added that the supporters of conscription urged it, not because it was a military necessity, but because they desired to control the masses.