CALL TO SERVICE

Wairarapa Times-Age, 29 April 1939, Page 7

CALL TO SERVICE

BRITAIN’S DEFENCE NEEDS CONSCRIPTION TO PROVIDE RESERVES. STATEMENT BY SECRETARY FOR WAR. (British Official Wireless.) RUGBY. April 27. The War Minister. Mr L. Hore-Be-lisha. speaking in London today, said that the plan announced by Mr Chamberlain yesterday under which six months’ intensive training would be given to all men between the ages of 20 and 21 would (ill the gap, while the slower process of assembling and preparing the new Territorial formations was taking place. “While it is in operation,” said the Minister, “the plan will add each year to our resources a reserve strength of trained men approximating in numbers to the whole of our existing Regular Army. No voluntary scheme on a part-time basis could secure such a rapid accretion of trained strength. “In an emergency the Territorial Army is capable of manning in the most efficient manner our anti-aircraft defences, but, being in civilian employment, the men cannot be there all the time. The new scheme will provide a personnel who will always be at their war positions, holding the fort until the arrival of the Territorials, and thus we shall be given an additional measure of security. ‘‘The existing Regular Army, which is below its establishment, could not possibly, in addition to its other responsibilities, find men for this duty. On purely practical grounds, therefore, the scheme will achieve the maximum of advantage to the nation with the minimum of hardship to the individual.

“In no way is the voluntary system for recruiting for the Regular and Territorial Armies qualified.”

MORE MEN AVAILABLE. [ SCHEDULE OF RESERVED OCCUPATIONS. RUGBY, April 27. The Lord Privy Seal, Sir John Anderson. stated in the House of Commons today that the schedule of the reserved occupations had been carefully examined and as a result amendments had been made which would remove from the operation of the schedule in peace time about 1,500,000 men between the ages of 25 and 50. Of these some 630.000 were under 38 years of age, giving a further field of recruitment for the territorial field army. The remainder, between 38 and 50 years of age, would be available for the anti-aircraft, coast defences and similar units, as well, as for wholetime service in the various branches of the civil defences. A further examination of the situation might be required in view of Mr Chamberlain’s announcement yesterday, added Sir John. OXFORD SUPPORT. CONSCRIPTION WELCOMED. LONDON, April 27. The Oxford Union, by 423 votes to 326, passed a resolution welcoming conscription in view of the country’s commitments and the gravity of the situation. This recalls the resolution against fighting for King and country passed on February 9, 1933. On February 9, 1933, the Oxford Union Society carried a resolution (later expunged), by 275 votes to 153: That this house will in no circumstances fight for its King and country.” LABOUR OPPOSITION. ACTION IN SCOTLAND. (Received This Day, 10.10 a.m.) LONDON, April 28. The Scottish Trade Union congress passed a resolution opposing conscription, and urging contact, with the National Council of Labour, to determine the most effective means to combat J it.