MOBILISATION OF MANPOWER

Manawatu Standard, Volume LX, Issue 29, 3 January 1940, Page 7

MOBILISATION OF MANPOWER

WARM APPROVAL EXPRESSED (United Press Association.—By Electric Telegraph.—Copyright.) (British Official Wireless.) Received January 3, 9.45 a.ra. RUGBY. Jan. 2. The Royal Proclamation notifying a 'further 2,000,000 men of their liability for military service, thus giving the Government powers for what is probably one year’s recruitment programme, is regarded by the Press as proving by its extent the inflexible resolution and earnestness of Britain’s war effort. Hitherto men have been called up in single age groups. Now, with the knowledge that the notices will be fairly evenly spaced over the coming months, the men can look ahead and adjust their affairs better and the authorities will be able better to utilise the nation’s manpower to the maximum advantage whether in industry or in the fighting services.

ACCEPTED BY PUBLIC

A comparison is made in some newspapers between the experience in the last war, when the acceptance of compulsory service was qualified by strong opposition and widespread misgiving even alter 17 months’ desperate campaigning: whereas in this war the scheme is warmly approved by all responsible sections of British opinion. 'The Times notes that the new effort does not stand alone. At a conservative estimate, it says, “'the classes previously registered have yielded GOO.OOO men. To that figure must be added men already serving in the armed forces at the outbreak of the war and volunteers accepted since, who together number not far short of 1,000,000

“And last but not least there must he added the troops from the Dominions. In all the number of men exelusive of Dominion and Colonial troops who are either under arms or will be in the relatively near future may well reach ‘2,500.000 before further classes are called up, and this figure is far from exhausting the potential manpower which can ultimately be brought into service.” PROOF OF GREAT EFFORT. After reviewing the nation’s military effort in other fields the Times proceeds: “Nobody, friend or foe, can detect the slightest sign of irresolution or of hanging back in these preparations. Last night’s proclamation offers incontrovertible proof that in manpower and in everything else our contribution to victory will not he loss than the highest which can possibly be given.” This week’s arrival of a further contingent of Canadians has been made the occasion lor reviews in the Press of Canada’s past contributions to the Empire’s cause. The extent of Canada’s war effort in the four years’ war may bo gauged from the fact that in 1014 the strength of the permanent force of the Canadian Army numbered 3000 and the noil-permanent 60,000, but before the war was over 600,000 Canadians had served with the colours.