MILITARY SERVICE

Wairarapa Times-Age, 27 April 1939, Page 7

MILITARY SERVICE

CONSCRIPTION POLICY IN BRITAIN STATEMENT BY PREMIER. SIX MONTHS IN REGULAR ARMY. By Telegraph—Press Association— Copyright. (Received This Day. 9.25 a.m.) LONDON, April 26. The Prime Minister, Mr .Neville Chamberlain, told trade unionists that the conscription proposals related to men between the ages of 20 and 21, and that no exemptions would be allowed, except on medical grounds. Conscripts would undergo six months’ intensive training in the Regular Army, after which they would have the option of joining the Territorials or being transferred to the Army Reserve. A delegation told Mr Chamberlain that it opposed conscription in peace time on principle, and urged that it would be impracticable at present. SCOTTISH OPPOSITION. TRADE UNION CONGRESS RESOLUTION. (Received This Day, 10.20 a.m.) .LONDON, April 26. The Scottish Trade Union congress passed a resolution that conscription would not increase the effective defence of Britain, but would have a contrary effect. It called on the Government to withdraw the proposal. ULSTER TO FOLLOW LEAD. BELFAST, April 26. The Premier of Northern Ireland, Lord Craigavon. declared today: "We, as part of the United Kingdom, will fall in line regarding conscription. Special legislation will not be required.”