FACING CRISIS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVI, Issue 23339, 6 May 1939, Page 14

FACING CRISIS

MILITARY TRAINING NEW BRITISH BILL '■ NECESSITY STRESSED FEARS AND DOUBTS EFFORTS TO ALLAY . | By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright British Wireless LONDON, May 4 The Prime Minister, Mr. Chamberlain, in the House of Commons to-day moved the second reading of the Military Training Bill. He said it was now over a week since he announced that the Government felt compelled to introduce a limited, temporary measure of compulsory -- military training. Mr. Chamberlain said he had expressed the view that while they must all recognise that the announcement would arouse those fears and suspicions which, in many minds had long been associated with the idea of conscription, nevertheless it would be found, when ' the Government's proposals were subjected to careful study, that it had made a great effort, and he thought it had gone a very long way toward providing safeguards and limitations which would meet thoso fears and doubts.

The Prime Minister said he thought that view had been confirmed by the evidence-from different parts of the country, and that inquiries and anxieties now concerned details rather than the principle of the measure. Full Justification for Action There oould be no possible manner of doubt of- the determination of the - British people to put themselves in a position fully to carry out the undertakings which t.hey had given.. That was evidenced by the fact that this great departure from their old traditions had created a most profound effect all over Europe. Tlieso doubts to which he had alluded, as to the seriousness of Britain's intentions to put her defensive forces, into the utmost state of pre- / parcdncss in order to preserve the safety of the country and make good these undertakings, had been removed, and to that extent the Government's action in coming to its decision had been fully justified. Altogether, if the bill ran the full term, the Government anticipated that it would give Britain somewhere in the neighbourhood of 800,000 men in three years. ' Few Evasions Anticipated Referring to conscientious objectors, Mr. Chamberlain said he thought the number of those who refused altogether to have anything to do with war would be very few, but that others who, while not ready to take life, were willing to assist in life, might be more numerous. He anticipated that those who would-try to abuse the exemption privilege would be very few. Tlie Priihe Minister then explained the character of tlie exemption tribunals in some detail.

Referring to the financial memorandum accompanying the bill, Mr. Chamberlain said provision would be made for the payment of special allowances in the case of need to wives and dependants. The Government proposed also to reduce the age at which marriage allowances were paid to men in the regular and auxiliary forces, lest there should be any difficulties or sense of injustice in the different treatment *neted out to volunteers and conscripts.

Pay'during Training Period Mr. Chamberlain .next referred to the clauses in the bill safeguarding the employment of conscripts and the duty of employers to hold open their jobs for them. He said he was anxious to put the provisions of the bill into operation as quickly as possible. During,-the six months' training the men would receive Is a day in addition to 17s a week for a wife, plus allowances for children.