SLOW RELEASES

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXII, Issue 21852, 24 October 1945, Page 5

SLOW RELEASES

BRITISH SERVICEMEN 1 CHURCHILL CRITICAL NEEDS OF INDUSTRIES LONDON, Oct. 22. “Whatever you may take on—socialism 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. Winston Churchill in the House of Commons to-day, when he initiated a debate on demobilisation.

“I am disgusted at the slow rate of demobilisation,” he said. “Use billeting wherever necessary and take land for houses if you need it.” When the Government supporters cheered, he repeated: “If you need it.” Suggested R.A.F. Strength

Mr. Churchill said the R.A.F. must be maintained on a very large scale with about 4COO machines in constant service. The personnel should be reduced to 400,000 and not 819,000, which is the present plan to December 31. Nothing could justify a greater strength of navy man-power than that which existed before the war. He estimated that in December the figure would be 665.000, including 55,000 women. By the end' of June, 1946. 448,000 would be retained. The number before the war was 133,000. Referring to the Army, Mr. Churchill said that for the occupation of Germany and the Low Countries the 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 her up. Another 400,000 rationed strength would be required in the Mediterranean zone. For India and in garrisons he reckoned on another 200,000, making 1,000,000 rationed United Kingdom troops. Over 2,250,000 Surplus Men

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 were needed in what used to be called the 21st Army Group.

“Is it not true that there are more than 1,000,600 men here at home, the great majority of whom are absolutely redundant?” asked Mr. Churchill. He said he had always strongly supported Mr. Bevin’s scheme, but it had to be remembered that the scheme was based on the assumption that the Japanese war would last at least 18 months after the German surrender. It would be a mistake to insist on the rigid application of the scheme in the changed circumstances.

"If we do not get the great wheels turning, we may lose forever our rightful place in the post-war economic world,” Mr. Churchill concluded. The Minister of Labour, Mr. George Isaacs, said that none of Mr. Churchill’s suggestions were new to the Government. Even his peroration was stale and worn out. “Irresponsible Speech” “His speech is most irresponsible and mischievous. Whether it was to help to get men out of the services or 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 bet;er equipped when they were released. Any modification of the Bevin scheme, which would not destroy its fair basis, would be introduced. Every naval ship available was to come home 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.

Tlie Government desired to create a scheme whereby Britain would have for her protection an armed service based on the desire of men to enter a career not based upon getting into the army men who could not find a job and were forced into it.

“The Government will not keep anyone in the forces if it is possible 'o get them out,” he said. “While the Government could not shirk the decision, I beg that criticism shall be based on knowledge of the facts and not surmise.”