RECRUITS LOST TO ARMY.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXII, Issue 18949, 21 February 1925, Page 9

RECRUITS LOST TO ARMY.

POSITION IN BRITAIN. EXODUS TO DOMINIONS. the dole also a factor. By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright. (Received 6.5 p.m.) A . ;,nri 5.7.. LONDON. Feb. 20. "Emigration to tl;e Dominions has again proved a serious counter-attraction to enlistment," says the annual report on the, British Army. "Many recruits have been lost as a. result, of this exodus," the report, proceeds. "The unemployment dole also continues t<> affect recruiting adversely. It is a matter for regret that the. civil population in some parts ot the country, especially in the industrial centres, appears to be apathetic toward the Army and military affairs. "Moreover, there is a disinclination on the part of parents to allow their sons to embark on a career which they consider does not offer an assured prospect of employment. When the Labour Government, in Britain brought down the Army Estimates last year the then Secretary for War. Mr. Stephen Walsh, stated that recruiting had not been entirely satisfactory during the year, and that steps had been taken to remove a misapprehension as to pay in the Army. A reduction ot 9200 was to be made in personnel. I'he strength of the Army in 1924-25 was 161.600, compared with 170,800 in 192.V 24 ' The territorial peace establishment in 1924-25 was 185.554. and in 1923 it was 180,213. Mr. Walsh said it was intended to raise additional units, complementary to the. air units, winch were considered -essential to the full development e.i the powers of defence, ' and the establishments of the. two existing air defence brigades was _to be raised trom .-enera 1 peace proportions up to prewar establishment. To provide, on a jniiitia basis certain personnel rcquireo tor the mobilisation of the Regular Army, a Supplementary Reserve, v. as to be e.Ma .v lished Steps were to be taken, said Mr. Walsh, on the lines of the Halc.ane Committee's proposals, to improve the attraction of the Army as a career and the \rmv t'ouncil hoped to lie able to stimulate' the flow of officers "from sources which in the past have not produced them in adequate numbers.