MAN-POWER

Evening Post, Volume XCV, Issue 14, 16 January 1918, Page 7

MAN-POWER

BRITAIN'S IMPERATIVE NEED

MEN FOR ABMY AND FACTORIES.

(AUS. AND' N.Z. CABLE ASSN. AND REUIEtt.)

LONDON, 14th January. Sir Auckland Geddes (Director of National Service), in introducing the ManPower Bill, said that man-power was the central war problem. The most urgent need at present was men for the Army. The position of Britain's Allies had laid the heaviest burden, on Britain until America was ready. The Allies were still substantially superior to the enemy as regards men, in spite of the events in Russia and Rumania, but the withdrawal of Russia would . release a tota! of 1,600,000 of the.enemy's troops for the West. The Empire had hitherto raised 7,500,000 troops. England had contributed 4,530,000, Scotland 620,000, Wales 230,000, Ireland 170,000, the Dominions and the colonies 900,000. The Army needed immediately another 120,000 to 450,000 men. It was not true that the British Army in the fisld wa» dwindling. It was still stronger than ever, but it was necessary to look ahead in order to provide for the services in the, rear of the front. /

Sir Auckland Geddes .pointed out that the problem could not be solved dramatically Tho Bill would ompowei the Director-General to withdraw occupational exemptions apart from the Army's needs. The labouT-employing departments required a further 430,000 men and 119,000 women. Already 515,000 women munition workers were employed. . The speaker announced that tho Government had decided" that for the present the military age would neither be lowered nor raised. Compulsion would not be introduced into Ireland, but he would not hesitate to adopt any or all of these measures if Britain's military needs were not met otherwise.