“Service to Make Ready For War”

Northern Advocate, 24 January 1939, Page 7

“Service to Make Ready For War”

MR. CHAMBERLAIN (Received 1.30 p.m.) LONDON, January 23. Mr Chamberlain, inaugurating the National Service Campaign, , said it was a scheme to make us ready for war. “ “That does not mean I think war is coming. You know I have done all I can to preserve pepce for ourselves and others,” he added, “We would never begin a'war, but we might be forced to participate in a war begun by others, or we might be attacked if the Government of another country thought we could not defend ourselves. “Therefore, the better we are prepared the less likely it is that any aggressor will try an adventure where the chances of success would be so

unpromising. _ Island Security Gone. “Development of air forces have deprived Britain of its old island security. ; N f

“Civilians might be the first victims of attack, and it is necessary that organisation for their protection must be made in peacetime. “Moreover, we must trairj in peacetime, for there will be no time to train after a war starts. Therefore, the scheme ds merely common prudence.”

Mr Chamberlain asked all who wepe ; ready to volunteer, and who were already engaged in work essential to the country’s security to choose some form of service outside their ordinary work.

What Free Feeble Will Do. He concluded: “There are some who believe a compulsory scheme would be more effective, but compulsion is’ not in accordance with the democratic system under which we. live or consistent with the tradition of freedom we have always striven to maintain, “We are confident we shall get all the volunteers required without recourse to compulsion. It is for. you to show the world what a free people are prepared to do in defence of their liberties, and ideals, and I am confix dent the call will bring the response for which I ask.” >; . ■>