BRITAIN’S DEMOBILISATION

Greymouth Evening Star, 23 October 1945, Page 6

BRITAIN’S DEMOBILISATION

MR. CHURCHILL’S CRITICISM “DISGUSTED AT SLOW RATE” , (Recd. 11.30 Oct 22. “Whatever you may take, on—So; cialism or free enterprise—it is common ground that we should get the great wheels as well as the little wheels of life and industry turning as soon as possible,” said Mr. Churcnill in the House of Commons, to-day, when he initiated a debate on demobilisation. “I am disguested at the slow rate of the demobilisation. Use billeting wherevei' necessary, and take land for houses if you need it.” When Government supporters cheered, he repeated: “If you need it.” Mr. Churchill said that the R.A.F. must be maintained at a very large scale, with about 4,000 machines in constant service. The personnel should be reduced to 400,000, not 819,000 which was the present plan to December 31. Nothing could justify greatex' strength in Navy manpower than that which existed before the war. He estimated that the December figure would be 665,000, including 55,000 women. By the end of June, 1946, 448,000 would be retained. The number befoi>e the war was 133,000.

Referring to the Army, Mr. Churchill said that for the occupation of Germany and the low countries a rationed strength of 400,000 should be the maximum. The task of holding down Germany would not be hard. It would be more difficult to hold hex' up. Another 400,000 rationed strength would be required in the Mediterranean zone. Fox- India and in garrisons, he reckoned another 200,000, making 1,000,000 rationed United Kingdom troops. Mr. Churchill asserted that there were 2,250,000 in the services who were redundant. These men were unemployed. There were at least 400,000 more than was needed in what used to be called the 21st Army Group. “Is it not true that there are more than 1,000,000 men here at home, the great majority of whom are absolutely redundant?” asked Mr. Churchill. He said he had always strongly supported the Bevin scheme, but it had, he remembered, been a scheme based on the assumption that the Japanese war would last at least 18 months after the German surrender. It would b'e a mistake to insist on the rigid application of the scheme in the changed circum-* stances. “If we don’t get the great wheels turning we may lose forever our rightful place in the post-wax' economic world,” Mr. Churchill concluded.

MINISTER’S REPLY Mr. Isaacs said that none of Mr. Churchill’s suggestions were new. to the Government. Even his peroration was stale and worn out. “His speech was most irresponsible and mischievous. Whether it was to help to get men out of the services or to get them out of temper with the Government I don’t know.” Mr. Isaacs added that the Government was considering the question of establishing training centres on the Continent in order that men might be bettex- equipped when they were released. Any modification of the Beyin scheme which would not destroy its laix' basis, would be introduced. Every naval ship available was to come heme filled to capacity with returning soldiers, Mr. Isaacs continued, but transport had also been taken up by the needs of repatriating war prisoners and other tasks. The Government desired to create a scheme whereby Britain would have for hex’ protection an armed service based on the desire of men to enter a career. It was not based upon getting into the Army men who could not find a job and were forced into it. “The Government won’t keep anyone in the forces if it is possible to get them out. While the Government couldn’t shirk the decision, I beg that criticism shall be based on a knowledge of facts and not surmise.”

WAR-TIME SACRIFICES LONDON, October 21., Figures illustrating the extent of Britain’s war-time sacrifices by comparison with the United States and Canada are given in a report of the impact of war on civilian consumption issued by the Combined Production and Resources Board. Twentytwo per cent, of Britain’s total labour force was in the armed forces or civil defence, compared with 18 per cent, in Canada. British munition worked substantially longer, hours than those in the United States. British consumption fell sharply in every category of consumption goods, whereas consumption in the United States and Canada increased. The broad conclusion reached in the report is that the material sacrifices made by British civilians towards winning the war are substantially greater than those made by either Americans or Canadians. SHIPBUILDING. (Rec. 11.10 a.m.) LONDON, October 22. The first Lloyds’ ship-building return since the outbreak of war, issued to-day, shows that 387 merchant vessels of more than 100 tons, totalling 1,500,000 tons gross are being built in Britain and Ireland. They include 241 •steamers, totalling 670,000 tons. Fiftyone'tankers totalling 412,000 tons' are also under construction.

. LABOUR SELF-CONTROL. LONDON, October 20. Mr. Attlee, in a speech to the Scottish Labour Party conference, said: “The Government is working on a long-term plan. We want to see that at a later stage we are not confronted with opposition which might frustrate our efforts.” The Government was asking Parliament to get through a programme of legislation unexampled'in peace time. A high degree of self-control would be needed from Labour members of the House of Commons and from their supporters, who would have to discipline themselves to concentrate on a limited number of measures and to resist pressure for immediate shortterm reliefs which, however excellent in themselves, would prevent progress on the main plan. “We are out to build a new society of peace, freedom, and social justice,” said Mr. Attlee. “'We have to conquer material things and preserve the things of the spirit. The conquest of material things is not an end in itself, but only a means to achieve the spiritual. My appeal to you is to rededicate yourselves to the ideas of Socialism which we preached for so many years, out of power, and which we now have the opportunity of putting into force.”

DOCKERS’ STRIKE. LONDON, October Thirteen hundred more London dockers have joined the strikers, bringing the number idle in the London area to 11,000. Delegates from the Merseyside strikers will arrive to-day to discuss with the London men minimum conditions on which the men will return to work. AIR SPEED RECORD. . LONDON, October 21. Although preparations at Herne Bay, on the Kentish coast, for an attack on the world air speed record are now complete, it is unlikely that the attempt will be made before Wednesday or Thursday, says the aviation .writer of “The Times.” The delay is

attributable mainly to the imperfect knowledge so far gained of the problems involved in very high speed flying.

MAGISTRACY INQUIRY. LONDON, October 22. The Lord Chancellor (Lord Jowitt) has announced the appointment of a Royal Commission of Inquiry into questions regarding the magistracy. He said that he wanted to find out who were the most suitable people to act as magistrates and what disqualifications there should be. The commission would examine the possible eligibility of publicans, politicians, and clergymen. ORION’S RECORD. LONDON, October 21. . The British liner Orion (23,371 tons) has arrived at Southampton with 5000 passengers, 4500 of whom are repatriated prisoners of war, 14 days and 21 hours after leaving Bombay. The master (Captain Harker) said that the vessel broke the record for the trip. She also broke the record for the trip round the world, including a call at Nev/ Zealand, completing the voyage in 74 days. On the voyage she broke the Mauretania’s record for the trip from Britain to Sydney. SAD HOME-COMING.

LONDON, October 19. When the liner Ordura, carrying 1700 liberated prisoners of war from the Far East, tied up at Liverpool, a civilian shouted over the landing stage microphone: “Hello, - Charlie. Your wife and children were killed in an air raid. I am here to welcome you.” A soldier cheering at the deck rail dropped out of the line, collapsed, and was carried below. His welcomer vanished in the crowd.