DEMOBILISATION RATE IS TOO SLOW

Auckland Star, Volume LXXVI, Issue 251, 23 October 1945, Page 5

DEMOBILISATION RATE IS TOO SLOW

DEBATE IN COMMONS "Most Mischievous Speech," Replies Minister N.Z.P.A.—-Copyright.—Rec. noon. LONDON, Oct. 22. . "Whatever you may take on —Socialism or free enterprise— it is common ground that we should get the great wheels as well as the 'little wheels of life and industry turning as soon as possible," said Mr. Churchill in the House of Commons to-day when he initiated the debate on demobilisation. "I am disgusted at the slow rate of demobilisation. Use billeting wherever necessary and take lahd for houses if you need it." When Government supporters cheered, he repeated: "If you need it." Mr. Churchill said the Royal Air Force must be maintained on a very large scal6 with about 4000 machines in constant service Personnel should be reduced to 400,000, not 819,000, which is the present plan to December 31.

Nothing could justify greater strength of Navy manpower than that which existed hefore the war. He estimated that the December figure would be 665,000, including 55,000 women. By the end of June, 1946, 448,000 would oe retained. The number before the war was 133,000. Occupation Needs Referring to the Army, Mr. Churchill said that for the occupation of Germany and the Low Countries a rationed strength of 400,000 should be the maximum. The task of holding down Germany would be hard, but it would be more difficult to hold her up. Another 400,000 rationed strength would be required in the Mediterranean zone. For India and in garrisons he

reckoned another 200,000, making 1,000,000 rationed United Kingdom troops.

Mr. Churchill asserted that there were 2,250,000 in the Services who were redundant. The men were unemployed. There were at least 400,000 more than needed in what used to be the 21st Army Group. "Is it not true that-there are more than 1,000,000 men here at home, the great majority of which are absolutely redundant?" asked Mr. Churchill. He said he had always strongly supported the Bevin scheme, but it had to be remembered that the scheme passed on the assumption that the Japanese war would last at least 18 months after the German surrender. It would be a mistake to insist on a rigid application of the scheme in the changed circumstances. "If we don't get the great wheels turning we may lose for ever our rightful place in the post-war economic world," Mr. Churchill concluded. "Stale and Worn Out" The Minister of Labour and National Service, Mr. Isaacs, said that none of Mr. Churchill's suggestions were new to the Government, even his peroration was stale and worn out. "His speech was most irresponsible and mischievous," he said, "whether it was to help get men out of the Services or to get •them out of temper with the Government, I don't know." Mr. Isaacs added that the Government was considering the question of establishing training centres on the Continent in order that men might be better equipped when they were released. Any modification of the Bevin scheme, which would not destroy its fair basis would be introduced.

Every naval ship available was coming home filled to capacity with returning soldiers, Mr. Isaacs continued, but transport was also taken up by the needs of repatriating war prisoners and other tasksi The Government desired tc, create a scheme whereby Britain would have for her protection an armed service based on the desire of men to enter a career, not based upon getting an army of men who could not find a job and were forcer' into it.

"The Government won't keep anyone in the forces if It is possible to get them out. While the Government cannot shirk the decision, I beg that criticism shall be based on knowledge of facts and not on surmise."