AN UNSATISFACTORY POSITION

Dominion, Volume 33, Issue 68, 13 December 1939, Page 8

AN UNSATISFACTORY POSITION

It is becoming disturbingly clear that the position regarding recruitments for the Special Force is most unsatisfactory. There has been no statement of the number of enlistments for some time past, and people are wondering what progress is being recorded toward making good the Dominion’s obligation to Britain to raise and equip a complete division for active service, and supplies of reinforcements to maintain it at full strength. The Minister of Defence, Mr. Jones has stated in answer to a question by a correspondent on the subject, that the Government is anxious to obtain additional recruits “to secure the required number of men for the second echelon,” and is taking active steps in that direction. This is hardly the kind of statement that will satisfy the public. If the Government is anxious to obtain additional recruits there is no evidence of a systematic effort to make its requirements known. Since the first recruiting campaign for the Special Force subsided the position has Ibeen allowed to drift. It would have been thought that a Government determined to raise and maintain a division by voluntary enlistment would have taken appropriate measures for rousing the right response. But of the kind of inspiration and leadership required for obtaining satisfactory results there has been a regrettable lack. As was emphasized when the ranks for the first draft were filled, a vigorous and continuous recruiting campaign is essential to ensure a steady flow of enlistments. There has been no sign of this. Now, with the first echelon trained and ready for service, the public is told that (he Government is “taking active steps” to obtain men for the second draft. What kind of response is to be expected from this half-hearted method of dealing with the problem ? The country is under an obligation to raise and maintain a division for active service. It is quite evident that this undertaking cannot possibly be made good under the haphazard system ol voluntary recruiting. If anything were needed to clinch the argument it is the Minister’s own statement, which points to a state of hopeless inadequacy that cannot he glossed over by such assurances as that the Government at this late date is “taking active steps.” lhe Government must face the position in a realistic and determined spirit and acknowledge that there is no other way of discharging our war obligations in this connexion than by the immediate adoption of compulsoiy service. It is the fairest and most effective method of organizing the manpower of the country. 11 will enable the Government to control the supply of labour for essential services as well as ensuring beyond all question. that our promise ol forces for active set vice whenevet required will be kept.