BRITISH MAN POWER

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVII, Issue 23545, 4 January 1940, Page 6

BRITISH MAN POWER

The British people, so MajorGeneral Freyberg has told us since his arrival in New Zealand, "have taken conscription in their stride." His view of the situation is fully confirmed by the latest announcement from London of the Royal proclamation notifying a further 2,000,000 men of their liability for military service. These new members of the militia are to be called up in six classes between the ages of 19 and 27. They will be drafted into training camps at intervals from March onward and by the end of the present year it is estimated that the military strength of Great Britain, exclusive of Dominion troops, will comprise more than 3,000,000 men. The first two classes

called up for training since the introduction of conscription have yielded about 600,000 men, while the regular Army, reinforced by volunteers, probably numbers about 1,000,000. This is a magnificent beginning, far in excess of anything achieved in the last war, and equally magnificent is the spirit of the British people, who have accepted the demand for national service with such calm determination. Opposition to compulsory service has virtually disappeared, and at the same time voluntary recruiting is still proceeding. Pleartening evidence is thus provided of the manner in which Great Britain is taking advantage of the present "waiting period" to develop her military organisation to the point of perfection. It may be that many of the men covered by the latest proclamation will not be required for immediate service, but, on the other hand, there is no guarantee that military operations during the coming spring and summer will be confined to the restricted and highly fortified Western Front. No one can say with any certainty where the inevitable German offensive will be launched, but whenever a move is made, Britain will have trained men ready for any emergency. The steps taken in this direction should be an i inspiration to the Empire as a whole.)