MAY BE TRAINED ABROAD

Dominion, Volume 33, Issue 85, 4 January 1940, Page 7

MAY BE TRAINED ABROAD

Part Of British Forces RELAXING RESERVED OCCUPATIONS Mobilization Figures By Telegraph.—Press Assn.—Copyright. (Received January 3, 8.45 p.m.) LONDON, January 3. The “News Chronicle” says that large numbers of the 2,000,000 men due for calling up in the next few months will be trained in France, Africa, Palestine and elsewhere, thus relieving the billeting strain in England and providing reinforcements at strategic points.

The Ministry of Labour has relaxed the schedule of reserved occupations embracing 60 trades and professions, enabling those so employed to volunteer. It is understood that this decision involves about a million of those employed in many occupations who are enabled to join any branch of the service? A second list stipulates that tradesmen must volunteer in their own trade. The Ministry also appeals for volunteers for France. Referring to the new proclamation making liable to military service all men between the ages of 19 and 27, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Labour, Sir Thomas Phillips, said last night that it was almost certain that all the classes will have been called to the Colours by the end of the year. \ Registration and the calling-up of the various groups will be announced at intervals, and the first to go will be the 23-age group, but they are not likely to be called up before March. The men in the 19-age group will not. be called up for service until they reach the age of 20. The total number of men who, since the introduction of compulsory military service, have been registered, including those under the present proclamation, is between 2,500,000 and 2,750,000. In addition, there are the men who were members of the regular reserves or the auxiliary service before the outbreak of war, and those who have entered as volunteers since the war. Spreading Burden Justly. This extension of military service is taken by this morning’s newspapers as further evidence of Britain’s determination to spread out justly the burden of the war. The “Daily Telegraph” says that by this methodical process it will be possible to discriminate in the allocation of the manpower available. The waste and confusion which were so conspicuously associated with the application of voluntary service in the last war should be averted. The “Daily Telegraph” adds that the proclamation will also serve another purpose. It not only notifies 2,000,000 men of their liability to service. It also notifies the world of how much in earnest the British Government and people are in fulfilling the task to which they have set their hands. It .is an effort whose magnitude is made more impressive by the complete acquiesence of a nation which has been traditionally averse from any compulsory service. The “Yorkshire Post” warns the people that the lack of activity on the Western Front at present must not be taken as a sign that the Allies will win the war without major military activities. Comparing mobilization figures with those of France, it says there can be no question of invidious comparison. Britain had not to compete with her ally, but to co-operate with her. The proclamation, provided evidence that Britain is sparing neither time nor effort in mobilizing her man-power for the fray. It would also help to banish the? not uncommon feeling that great sources of willing service were lying as yet untouched. —By radio.

BRITISH STRENGTH

Land, Sea And Air “This war has united the whole Empire and its people in a remarkable way,” said the Maharajah of Bikaner in a speech in which he expressed regret that the State’s forces had so far been prevented from taking part in the war, but added that they were awaiting with impatience the order of their King-Emperor to march. India had once again responded magnificently to the call of the Empire, he said, realizing the righteousness of its cause. In the short space of three months three facts were definitely established. These were that the might of the British Navy had been shown in the destruction of submarines and tho defeat of the Admiral Graf Spec in a naval engagement; that the R.A.F. had established its superiority; and that a well-equipped army was fighting alongside tlie French on the Western Front.

All this was a splendid augury for the year which had just begun. It was also" a sure indication that a regime which had been built on violence irnd injustice must crumble before the onslaught of the Allies.—By radio.

VISIT TO TROOPS

King’s Enthusiastic Reception (British Official Wireless.) RUGBY, January 2. Tlie King paid a visit today to the troops in the Southern Command, where he was met by a parade of 4000 men. who greeted him witli a burst of cheering. After inspecting this centre and talking with many officers and men. His Majesty drove in a camouflaged car to a number of small villages in the area where units have been stationed. At each place the King left his car and walked down the lines and. at one place, he walked over a mile along a road lined witli enthusiastically cheering men. At this point His Majesty’s only escort was a crowd of evacuated children, who followed closely behind him.

His Majesty’s tour took him through two counties and occupied most of the dav.