NEW NATIONAL SERVICE SCHEME LAUNCHED IN BRITAIN

New Zealand Herald, Volume LIV, Issue 16459, 8 February 1917, Page 7

NEW NATIONAL SERVICE SCHEME LAUNCHED IN BRITAIN

.VOLUNTEERS TO BE PAID 25S A WEEK. CLERGY TO TAKE THEIR PART IN WAR WORK. Australian and N.Z. Cable (Received 8.50 p.m.) LONDON', Fob. 6, The Prime Minister addressed a public meeting at Westminster to inaugurate the new national service scheme. Many members of the House of Commons and prominent citizens were present, including representatives of leading employers and trade unions. Mr. Arthur Henderson, Labour member of the War Cabinet, who presided, said it was necessary to make a swift answer to Germany's latest challenge. Military exigencies and national honour rendered it imperative that drafts for the troops abroad should be supplied with unfailing regularity. Mr. Lloyd George said Britain had sent fewer men to the army and navy in proportion to her population than any of the western Powers. France had provided one in six. Britain was not shirking her contribution, because she was making a larger contribution in other respects. The navy meant an enormous drain on man-power. If the present voluntary system of enrolling civilian service failed, the nation must have recourse to compulsion. The community was entitled to the utmost and best help of every member who participated in its life. If it failed to get the necessary staff by voluntary means, the Government would be guilty of the grossest dereliction of duty if it did not resort to legislation. The submarine campaign represented Germany's set policy, thought out for years, and taught in schools. Britain must build ships and protect her merchantmen in order to demonstrate that murder on the high seas was futile. It could be done, but the nation must be organised. Mr. Lloyd George said in conclusion: "Our patriotism must not be less than Germany's. Our country is equally worth fighting for. It is a land rich in the past and the present. " What riches the future holds depends on the people of to-day. (Cheers.) No man who shares this inheritance has the right to pass on its defence to his neighbour." ARMY MUST BE SUPPLIED WITH DRAFTS. Sir Neville Chamberlain, director of the new civilian service organisation, said the army must be supplied with drafts of young, physically fit, men, who alone could stand the terriM strain of modern trench warfare. His problem was to find substitutes who would prevent the essential industries of the country languishing. He had arranged a scheme with the bishops whereby part of the clergy might be utilised for other work. Doctors must be mobilised and distributed over the civil population. Men already engaged in work of national importance were asked to enrol, as they might be wanted for similar work in other parts of the country. He proposed to utilise the local authorities as employment exchanges for the enrolment, control, and distribution of labour. A minimum wage of 25s a week would be established, and would also apply to agriculture. The question was where could the labour be found. He could not suddenly destroy nonessential trades. Such destruction would interfere with credit. Germany meant tc starve them out before she herself was starved out. The national service organisation would deal the enemy a blow straight between the eyes and bring him to his senses. RESTRICTIONS ON THE LESS ESSENTIAL OCCUPATIONS. Sir Neville Chamberlain added that the scheme provided for a, subsistence allowance of 2s 6d a day for volunteers out of work, and , a grant of 3s 6d a day for four weeks. The rate of pay for national • volunteers might be higher or lower than that they were accustomed to. Each man must take his luck, as the soldiers did. It was impossible to indicate at present the lines on which national industries would proceed. Certainly there would be some restrictions on ,tho less essential occupations, but the sharing of machinery* plant, and labour should enable trades to maintain their prosperity till after the war.