RECRUITING

Press, Volume LXXVI, Issue 22922, 19 January 1940, Page 12

RECRUITING

TO I'HR (fiUi'iUß 09 L'EIX PRESS Sir,—The looker-on sees most of the game, and as a looker-on I have been seeing or hearing a good deal on the vexed subject of enlistment. With the men who are conscientious objectors and those who say, “They will have to take me in the Black Maria,” we know where we stand; but there is another class professing willingness to serve but claiming to be “not allowed to enlist,” a class so numerous and various that perhaps a definite statement from those in authority would help to clear the air. That some can perhaps serve better in their civil capacity is undoubted. ,It would be a pity, no doubt, to take a wireless operator or mechanic to put in the ranks; but what of the many, employed in work for which men hot fit to serve as soldiers could be trained, or women for that matter? The list of those “prohibited” from en-listment-is quite a long one, according to those claiming that protection!

Then this» question of subsidised pay is causing men to hold back. On the one hand, the Government is going to secure public Servants the equivalent of their civilian salaries, though their enlistment appears to be discouraged. But Bill Jones, in private employment,, cam see; no reason .why..Tom

Brown, in a similar position, but serving the State, should not enlist, or if he does break-bounds and enlist, should have his military pay subsidised. So Bill’Jones just sits tight, waiting for a lead. Whether it is conscription or not, he does not care. He is willing to do his bit, but not his and Tom Brown’s too. The Bill' Smiths want to know what men the army needs, and what men are to, be exempt or debarred from service, and why. Then they will come forward. ;

On Wednesday; last, where groups were gathered to wish godspeed to those who had answered the first call unhesitatingly—to whom be sill honour —conversations on the questions above could be heard; and it does seem that an official statement might help many now holding back to a decision. As an elderly woman, X am just—Yours etc., ■ A LOOKER-ON. January 8, 1940.

The following statement has been supplied on-behalf of the Minister for Defence: — : , “The question of whether a list or ‘reserved occupations’ should be made public is receiving the consideration of the Government. • “As regards public servants enlisting in the military forces for service, they are granted leave of absence' without pay from their departments, and become entitled to pay and allowances at the rates laid down for the force to which they are .appointed, the only concession grantedbeing .the : payment

•by the Government of their superannuation contributions on their civil pay.”