“NO CONSCRIPTION MURMURS”

Evening Star, Issue 23496, 9 February 1940, Page 6

“NO CONSCRIPTION MURMURS”

HOME INDUSTRIAL AREAS' ATTITUDE PRODUCTION OH A THREE-YEAR BASIS ELECTRICIANS “WORTH THEIR WEIGHT IN GOLD" After two years in Bristol engaged in research in" physical chemistry under Professor Garner, the leading English authority on tho decomposition of solids, Dr F. R. Meldrum, of Dunedin, joined up with the 1.C.1.' Company, and toured over Great Britain’s factories training for work in Australia, for which he will sail next week. For some time he was employed at Ministry of Supply base factories in England and Scotland, being_ absorbed) into this phase of war activity a few days before the outbreak of hostilities. Particularly in industrial areas, the people of Great Britain were quite determined over the war, said Dr Meldrum this morning. They had thought it was inevitable, though in London certain classes did not have tlw same opinion. Industrial districts he had visited were definitely solid behind the pursuance of the war—there _ were no murmurs against conscription. “ People in New Zealand do not realise the disability of working in factories that are absolutely blacked out,” he continued. A few months before tho war the factories under the Ministry of Supply, destined for war purposes, had the windows removed, and bricks closed up the gap. This meant that all light was artificial, and elaborate systems of lighting were being adopted to overcome the difficulties that arose. When it is necessary to cut out white lights, blue ones are used. Unfortunately, however, some of the factories had a lot of trouble installing this type of illumination, because with the rush to change, electricians were at a premium, and were “ worth their weight in gold.” Considerable thought had been given by the Royal Engineers in the camouflaging of some of the factories, particularly in the north-east of England, said Dr Meldrum. Some of the results were really amazing. In these particular districts, blackout regulations are very strictly enforced, and one could not as much as flash a torch. While Dr Meldrum was in that vicinity, there was only one air raid warning he experienced, that coining a quarter of an hour after war had been declared. Factories were working day and night in Great Britain, he said, and the hours were arduous, particularly in artificial light. Men up to 25 had registered under the conscription system at Home, said Dr Meldrum, while it was' considered certain at the time he left that men up to 28 years would have to register very shortly. The general opinion was that the war would not be by any means a short one, he said, and all production was going forward on a three-year basis. “ People at Home are under no misapprehension that the war will end suddenly,” he said. “ and they are quite prepared to fight a long struggle.” Newspaper censorship was more rigid than in New Zealand, he continued. All thie newspapers printed much the same information, with embellishments distinguishable by the policy of the papers concerned. “ Most of the big business houses »have changed their headquarters from Loudon, and keep there only skeleton staffs,” said Dr Meldrum. “ The others have been sent out to the suburbs, or provincial areas, and it is something of a job getting hold of those. businesses you want. Most of them will stay there.”

Factories are carefully guarded in Great Britain. Most have a rigid system, which in some cases includes having to show a pass on entering, even though one might he well known to all the guards. Most of the soldiers seen in Great Britain wore battle dress—like an overall, with inside buttons (no projections), and pockets at breast and hips, while there were abbreviated leather leggings to complete the outfit. Soldiers sported forage caps, also tin helmets at their belts with the familar gas mask, while many ■ civilians had adopted the same equipment as far as dress was concerned. In comparison the New Zealand uniform would look quite dashing, considered Dr Meldrum. Canadians, too, were -wearing battle dress. One did not,see many New Zealanders in the provinces, he concluded. There were some in uniform seen around Piccadilly occasionally, and they were distinctive by their peaked hat.