MAN-POWER FOR BRITAIN

Press, Volume LXXVI, Issue 22909, 4 January 1940, Page 7

MAN-POWER FOR BRITAIN

Many to be Trained Abroad

RECRUITING PLAN FOR YEAR

(CNITBD 3?KESS ASSOCIATION— COPTBIGHT.) (Received January 3, 8.30. p.m.) LONDON, January 2. The "News-Chronicle" says that large numbers cf the 2,000,000 men now . liable for calling up in the next few months will be trained in France, Africa, Palestine, ana elsewhere, thus relieviiwr the billeting strain in England and providing- reinforcements at strategic points. •

The Ministry for Labour has relaxed the reserved occtipations schedule, embracing CO trades and professions, enabling those so employed to volunteer. It is understood that this decision involves about 1,000,000 of those employed in many occupations, who are enabled to join any branch of the forces. A second list stipulates that tradesmen must volunteer in their own trade. The Ministry also appeals' for volunteers for France. A British Official Wireless message says that the Royal proclamation notifying a further 2,000,000 men of their liability for military service and thus giving the Government powers for what is probably one year's recruitment programme, is regarded by the press as proving by its extent the inflexible resolution and earnestness of Britain's war effort. Hitherto the men have been called up in single age groups. Now, with the knowledge that notices will be fairly evenly spaced over the coming months, the men can look ahead and adiust their affairs better and the authorities will be' able to utilise better the nation's man-power to the maximum advantage, whether in industry or in the fighting services. A comparison is made in some newspapers between experience in the last war, when the acceptance of compulsory service was qualified by strong opposition and widesnread misgiving, even after 17 months of desperate campaigning, and the warm approval of the • present scheme by all responsible sections of British opinion. Potential Man-Power "The Times" notes that the new effort does not stand alone. "At n conservative estimate," it states,, "the classes previously registered have yielded 600,000 men. To that figure must be added the men already serving in the armed forces at.the outbreak of the war and the volunteers accepted since, who together number not far short of 1,000,000. And last but not least, there must be added the troops from the Dominions.

"In. all, the number of men, exclusive of, Dominion and colonial troops, who are either under arms or will be in the relatively near future may well- reach 2,500,000 before further classes are. called upon. This figure is'far from exhausting the potential man-power which can ultimately be brouttht into service.' After reviewing the nation's military effort in other fields, "The Times" proceeds: "Nobody, friend or foe, can detect the slightest sign of irresolution or of hanging back m these preparations. Last nights proclamation offers incontrovertible proof that-in man-power and in everything else our contribution to victorv will not be less than, the highest which can possibly be This week's arrival of a further contingent of Canadians # has < been made the occasion for reviews m the press of Canada's past contributions to the Empire's cause. The extent •of Canada's war effort in the four vears of war may he estimated bv recalling that in 1914 the strength of the nernianent forces'of the Canadian Army numbered 3000 and the non-permanent army 80 000. but before the war Was over 600,000 Canadians had served with the colours.

"A GREAT MILITARY '■': POWER"

FRENCH TRIBUTE TO: BRITISH WAR EFFORT t (Received.. January 3, 7.5 p.m.) LONDON, January 2.'' ' The Paris newspaper, "Le Temps, in a eulogy of Britain's efforts since the war began, writes: "Traditionally a great naval Power, England has m a very short time become a great military power under pressure of the necessity of conducting a vigorous war. This magnificent effort is worthy of a great nation. "It proves the will of the Government and people- of the United Kingdom to see the war through to victory until the aims which England and France have fixed for their joint venture—the defence of the liberty of Europe and the welfare of civilisation—have been achieved.'

DEFENCE EXPANSION IN • INDIA

(Received January 3, 10.30 p.m.) .- DELHI, January 3. The Government has- authorised the formation of five new battalions of territorials under the expansion plan announced after the outbreak of war. i i - .■ "■■■ * " ' '