COMPULSION IN CANADA

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume L, Issue 175, 25 October 1917, Page 6

COMPULSION IN CANADA

i [PROVISIONS OE SERVICE ACT. - The principal issue in the election campaign, in Canada is the question of conscription, the Coalition Government having pledged itself to the immediate enforcement of the Military Service Act ■while Sir Alfred Laurier and his party oppose, the measure. The contribution in men from Canada and the present situation were described yesterday by a "New Zealander, who has returned from a visit to Canada. He said the Dominion has now rent away 360,000 men. The total enlistments, including a Forestry Battalion of about 10,000, amount to 410,000. •Preparations are now being made to call up, probably in groups of 20,000 or so, another army of 100,000 men, as the first draft under the recently passed (Military Service Act. If, owing to an unexpected prolongation of the war, a further draft is necessary, another 100,000 will be forthcoming. The men are classified as follows," and each class, ias required, will be called up by proclamation:— (1) Unmarried men and widowers "without cjhi]fd4"en, ages. 00 to 34; {2} married men, ages 20 to 34; (5) unmarried men and widowers, without children, ages 34 to' 45; (4) married men ,ages 34 to 45. 'I; It is possible that Canada will take steps to organise the whole .of: her population for war purposes: ;No steps along this line have been taken _ yet, and Seven the national registration' of her -manhood has not, so far, been made compulsory.- But people are beginning to notice and talk above the uhfairiess, as it seems to them, of one man being, conscripted for active service at 4s 7d a day, while another, who happens to be doing essential work as, say, a machinist, can command a daily wage of 275. .like New Zealand, does not expressly exempt any • class : oi from, military service.. Each claim for exemption will be dealt with on its merits.

> There are 650 factories making muniitions in Canada. The weekly output a ~ short time ago was 400,000 18-pounder shrapnel shells complete, with cartridge cases; fuses, primers ,and ' propellants, and 400,000 high explosive shells, ranging from 18-pounders to a calibre of ?6.2in» It. is " anticipated- that the .Canadian plants will continue running throughout the winter, notwithstanding the large accumulations that have resulted from the enormous output of rßritish factories.