MORE MEN FOR ARMY

Manawatu Standard, Volume LXV, Issue 31, 5 January 1945, Page 5

MORE MEN FOR ARMY

COMB-OUT IN BRITAIN. . (Special Correspondent.) LONDON, Jan. 4.

The work of finding a quarter of a million men "to sustain and nourish our armies in the line" has begun. It is reported that many may come from redundant workers who are being released from munition industries, particularly aircraft factories. It is also expected that about 50,000 men will be transferred from other services to the army to train those coming from civil life. It is stated that as far as possible the recruits will come from the ranks of single men in the younger age groups. Miners, farm and transport workers are not likely to be affected. More women are also invited to volunteer for the Services. Many girls remarked that they were "tired of civvy life " and were hoping to get overseas.

Black market dealings are reported to have increased the activities of burglars, and thefts of clothing, furniture, tobacco and food are now said to be common. They are so common in fact that insurance companies are refusing all new business that does not yield a premium of £1 per annum or more. It is estimated that burglaries for the black market have risen by 60 per cent. Manufacture for export is now being permitted in some industries. Sheffield cutlery makers have been told that they can resume and that stainless and other steel will b© available for overseas orders. Other minor releases are carpets, aluminium and enamelware.

Britain now has 15,000,000 apple trees and despite drastic pruning of orchard space during the war the number • of trees has increased by over 3,000,000 during the last two decades. There are over 7,000,000 Cox's Orange Pippin trees.