BRITISH ARMY

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 23029, 5 May 1938, Page 15

BRITISH ARMY

NEW ENLISTMENT PLAN MORE ATTRACTIVE -TERMS i TASK OF FINDING RECRUITS TERRITORIALS NEEDED By Telegraph—Press Association —Copyright British Wireless RUGBY. May 3 A new long-service enlistment scheme, with increases in pay, family allowances and pension rights, has been announced by the Secretary of State for War, Mr. L. Hore-Belisha. 1 he scheme is designed to make the Army more attractive to men desirous of making it their career, and will bo limited to 5500 men per year. Men may

enlist for 12 years and have the right, subject to good character and fitness, to continue for a further nine years. Men applying for the new enlistment must be between the ages of 18 and 24 years. The age and number are limited to maintain the strength of the reserve. Speaking of the scheme, Mr. HoreBelisha said that recruiting for the Army was proceeding at a rate which had not been kuown for some time, though, with increased demands for other national defence services, the task of finding the 53,000 recruits wanted this year was not becoming easier. A total of 40,000 territorials was also required. In the case of the Territorial Army it could be brought up to strength at once but for its territorial basis.' For example, some units probably could be filled four or five times over. A great many units were up to strength and there were cases where they were even 20 per cent over establishment. DEFENCE OF FRANCE IMPOSING PROGRAMME STRENGTHENING ALL ARMS MUCH NAVAL CONSTRUCTION PARIS. May 3 One of the Government's new decrees provides for an appropriation of £29,450,000 for an exceptional armament programme, including £14,000,000 fdr the Air Force, £6,500,000 for the Navy, and £4,000,000 for the Army. It authorises a start on construction before December 31, 1939, "on two battleships-, one cruiser and seven submarines, besides fast coastal patrol ships and auxiliary vessels totalling 24,000 tons, all additional to previous authorisations. The decree further authorises the expenditure of £31,250,000 within the years 1938-42 for naval building and supplies and also increases the naval personnel from 69,500 to 72,500, and that of the Air Force from 44,000 to 52,500, and increases the colonial forces.

SPY SCARE INCREASE CAUSES ALARM DEATH PENALTY PROBABLE (Received May 4, 7.50 p.m.) LONDON, May 4 Espionage is increasing to such an extent in France that capital punishment may shortly be introduced, says the Paris correspondent of the Daily Telegraph. It is understood the Daladier Government is preparing a decree including the death penalty for certain forms of spying. All spy cases in France are tried by military tribunals, where the maximum penalty is 20 years' imprisonment.

FRENCH MINISTERS RECENT LONDON VISIT ARMY HIGH COMMANDS (Keceived May 4, 5.5 p.m.) British Wirelpcs RUGBY, May 3 Referring to tho conversations with the French Ministers, in answer to a question in the House of Commons, the Prime Minister, Mr. Chamberlain, said the Foreign Secretary, Viscount Halifax, and himself had been glad of tho opportunity to review with MM. Daladier and Bonnet various international questions which were a matter of preoccupation at the present time. The conversations had been of value in helping each Government to attain a closer understanding of the other's viewpoint and demonstrating anew the community of outlook and interest uniting them. Asked if in the conversations arrangements had been made "for nomination to certain of the higher commands between the French and English air forces and military forces in the event of certain emergencies," Mr. Chamberlain replied: "If I understand the question correctly, that is not so."