CONSCRIPTION IN BRITAIN.

Southland Times, Issue 17919, 26 April 1917, Page 4

CONSCRIPTION IN BRITAIN.

A correspondent asks for some Paris ticulars of the Military Service Acts in ' Britain, and says that an idqa is abroad that there is no system of com- - pnlsory military service in Britain 3 comparable to purs. This idea is quite . wrong. Britain has compulsory mill- * tary service exactly as we have it in New Zealand. The first Military Ser- , vice Act was passed through the British Parlijament in 1915. It applied compulsion in respect to military service to all single men between the ages of 18 and 41. In New Zealand military age means “any age not less than twenty years and less than fortysix years. In Britain they take men at an earlier age than we do and exempt them at an earlier age. Mr , Asquith, then Prime Minister, told tha House of Commons bluntly that unless it passed the measure Britain could not do its part in the prosecution of the war, and the second reading carried on 12th June, 1915, by 431 votes to 39. The growing needs of the army soon made it clear that compulsory ’ service for single men only wonld net - produce the number of men required, and on 2nd May, 1916, Mr Asquith introduced his second Military Service j Bill applying epmpujljßion to all men, whether married or single, between the ■ ages of 18 and 41. While the Bill was in the committee stage amendments were made compelling time-expired men to serve and requiring men who t had previously been rejected on medical grounds to submit themselves again for examination. The (bird reading was carried by 250 votes to 35, and Lord Kitchener expressed the thanks of the Army Council and his approval of what bad been done. The Bi}l re- ' ceived the Royal Assent on 25th May. It Will h e seen, therefor 6, that there was nothing half-hearted either in the Military Service Bills or in the approval with which Parliament accepted ■ them, and also that both Bills were in--5 troduced and passed before our Mili--1 tary Service Act was passed. Com? f pulsory service was in operation ,1m ■ Britain before the New Zealand Bill 1 was introduced. 1 It may be asked then, why a recruiting campaign should be necessary in order to raise the additional 500,000 men that Sir William Robertson, Chief of the Imperial Staff, requires by Ist 1 July. This is what appears to have caused some confusion in the minds of the public, The fact is, however, that the recruiting campaign is not for volunteers for military service, hut for volunteers for industrial service. Men of military pge have been called up so thoroughly in Britain that It is impossible to get more without taking them out of “essential” industries. Now essential industries have to be maintained, and if men of military age are taken out of them for service with the ’ colours their places must be filled by men not of military age, by men. unfit for active service, or by women. Compulsory national service has not yet i been adopted in Britain and therefore the gaps caused in essential industries by the operation of the Military Service Act have to be filled by volunteers. A campaign to recruit voluntary labour has been in progress in Britain for many months, and since Sir Wm. Robertson’s latest call it has become even more active. And the British people have been told quite plainly that if voluntary recruiting does not yield the labour required to keep essential industries going compulsion will be applied here also. This is what Mr Hodge, a Labour member of Parliament and Minister of Labour, told an audience at Nottingham on 19th February:— Wb had got to keep the war going with three things—men, money and munitions. If we were going to kill all our industries by taking all the workers away from them, then we were not going to find the money. It was essential that we should keep up our export trade so far as was practicable for the purpose of exchange. A year or so ago men were supposed to be indispensable, but it was wonderful how - they were substituted by women. Men bad not quite realised and appreciated that the women were a "long chalk” better than the men gave them credit fob. They had taken men’s jobs and had done them better in many instances than the men did, and the chances were that they could do a little bit more. Men were wanted for steel-making, and for ship-build-ing to build innumerable hornets to chase the submarines from the seas. We had to get them if we were to maintain the food supply of this country It is far better to volunteer, continued Mr Hodge, than to be forced because. make no bones about it, if this voluntary system is not a success you are going to be taken willy nilly. Every man has a duty to the State. Let every man come forward and do his duty without force. We desire to avoid industrial conscription in this country if we can. It is in your hands; if you fail the guilt will be upon your own beads. The Minister of Labour has been saying the same thing in all parts of the country, and nothing is more certain than that if the labour required to release men of military age from essential industries is not recruited voluntarily, compulsory national service will be''-enforced and men will have to work where the State needs their services most. That is the position in Britain, and anyone who supposes that we in New Zealand have a form of compulsion more severe than that which obtains in Britain has failed to inform himself fullv and accurately of toe facts.

The Regimental Band will give a concert in No. 2 Gardens on Sunday afternoon, at 2.45.

A Greymouth telegram states that the Waterside Union there decided by 104 to 9 to accept the agreement. The feeling of the Anzacs regarding the Town Council’s decision to observe “their day” on the correct date, yesterday. instead of on the Government s choice, Monday, was made abundantlyclear at the dinner last evening. Mr H. W. Royds happened to remark his appreciation of the Council's action and Instantly there arose a thunder of applause which drowned tho speakers voice for fully half a minute. Members of the British Royal I* lying Corps attached a wreath to a parachute and dropped it behind the German lines as a tribute to Immelmann. the German aviator hilled in action. The wreath and inscription were forwarded to the parents of the famous airman, who were deeply touched by the act of chivalry. The wreath was photographed by the Germans, and reproduced in a German paper, which was forwarded to England. ”1 believe that 19 out of every 20 dairy herds could be reduced 20 per cent, without decreasing the output of butter-fat, providing that systematic testing and culling were gone in for,” remarked Mr J. Burgess, of Warea, at the sitting of the Appeal Board at New Plymouth. Mr Burgess added that there were a lot of poor cows that did not pay for milking, and could easily be dispensed with. As the result of ten years' testing, he said that he had increased the yield of his cows by 1001b of butter-fat each per annumThe piece of wire from the raiding Zeppelin brought down just outside of London by Lieut. Robinson, V.C., which was presented to the Red Cross Society by its winner in a recent raffle, was, mounted on a patriotically designed card and framed, offered for auction by Mr A. S. Wallace in the Municipal Theatre last evening. The souvenir was sold thirteen times at £1 and four times at 10s, after which it was finally knocked down to one of the first thirteen for another £l. The proceeds are to be equally divided between the Soldiers’ Club and Chaplain Burridge’s comfortsfund. On Sunday ajt Colac the Presbyterian Church held its harvest festival. The church was artistically decorated by Mesdames Melvin, Grenfell and Swinerd. The minister, Mr E. Swinerd. gave a very powerful address to a splendid congregation. The fine display of fruit, vegetables and preserves showed the bounty of tho residents of the village and out stations. A quartette was sung very sweetly by Mesdames Grenfell and Swinerd and Messrs Higgins and Swinerd. The minister sang a solo in his usual Impressive style. At the Drill Hall on Monday evening the produce was sold by Dutch auction by Mr Spiers.

The atetntion of the public is drawn to our advertising columns from which It will be seen that a unique entertainment is being offered to the public tonight and to-morrow night in the Municipal Theatre, the funds derived from which jare to be devoted to the worthy object of helping the Returned Soldiers’ Association and Soldiers’ Club. The public will have an opportunity of seeing the soldiers depict camp life in Egypt and practically seeing at first hand a portion of the daily routine. Many of the returned soldiers have excellent voices and the vocal part of the entertainment • will also be well worth, a visit. Apart from the worthiness of the obpect, the merits of the entertainment will, no doubt, ensure packed houses on both occasions.

The following paragraph from Tuesday’s Christchurch Press will interest sportsmen:—There is on view at the shop of Messrs W. H. Tlsdall and Co. (Cashel street) a quinnat salmon yearling, or smolt, which was taken by a well-known Christchurch angler on the fly in the Walmakarlri about two miles above White’s bridge. The fish is about five or six inches in length. It is reIported that others have been caught on herring lines at the mouth of the river. The information is interesting from the fact that it proves the quinnat are now breeding in the Walmakariri, and that last season’s hatchings are now on tfielr way to the sea. The specimen caught has been preserved. The Wlamakariri should be quite as well suited for the quinnat as the Waitaki, where they are now well established. W'e have always a good word for “NO RUBBING” Laundry Help because it has justly earned its wonderful reputation as the abolisher of Washboard Hlavery and also because a ‘‘Thinker's’’ Notebook is given free with every 1/- packet. J. S. BAXTER, Grocer. ' x In our Apron Department we have a large and most up-to-date stock of Pinafores and Aprons, all shapes and sizes. Here are a few of our many lines: —Figured and plain print pinafores shaped at waist with bands, 3/9. 8/11, 4/6, 4/11, 6/11. Light and dark pinafores gathered at waist (our own make) selling at 4/9. Loose style with separate belt, 4/6. Black Italian cloth pinafores, baited at waist, at 5/-. American gowns iu light and dark prints, 6/6. Nurses and waitress's white aprons selling at 3/11, 4/9. -Print aprons without % bibs. 2/9. Black Italian cloth aprons * S/11, 4/6. See windows and showroom special sizes made to order at H. & J. SMITH, LTD., Prompt Service Store, Tay street. ’Phone 288. Lovers of good tea should drink Baxter’s choice RAVA TEA from the Rava Tea Gardens —pure, popular, pleasant. This delightful beverage has been Jong and favourably known to the people of Southland, and continues to increase in popularity. Try it. **Ncw days are on your track.” —Bernal. Though you suffer from a cold or sore throat to-day you will begin to feel better to-morrow if you start to take Baxter’s Lung Preserver at once. This famous tested remedy gives new health to those who have weak lungs or are xun down. It is a tonic medicine as well as a lung preserver. Splendid for young and old. Pleasant to take, and every dose benefits. Prove Its goodness and reliability NOW. Ask your chemist or (Storekeeper for a big. 1/10 bottle, but be sure you obtain “Baxter's.” Keep Magnetic Liniment in the house tor emergencies. It banishes all pain, and is most soothing, and there is nothing like Dr Sheldon’s Magnetic Liniment to quickly heal burns and cuts, and to relieve sprains, rheumatic pains, and lame back. Quickly stops toothache and neuralgia. Sold everywhere, 1/6 and •nd 3/- per bottle.

Prominence in the drapery odds at this season of the year is generally given to the heavier lines, but one line which ts generally in demand all the year round, viz.. Ladies' Blouses, is showing prominently in the Mantle Department Of PRICE & BULLEXD, LTD.. Tay •treet. The turnover of this particular article of apparel by this firm is verylarge, and is done by stocking only approved makes, qualities, and materials. For a Blouse selection one might travel tne dominion and not find a more perfectly selected and well assorted range Of Ladies' Blouses than is at present showing in Messrs PRICE AND BUL1# BID'S. If requiring anything in Blouse goods a visit to this firm will no doubt result in the particular article desired being secured. FIRESTONE DOUBLE-CUKE TYRES—DOUBLE DISTANCE TYRES. In addition to extra quality in seven places. Firestone Tyres are Double-cured —slowly and gently. This makes the rubber and fabric one uniform whole—the tyre is no longer a series of layers, but one unit of strength. Because the “curing” is slow and gentle, there Is no terrific heat to sc-»rch the stamina out. of the rubber and fabric —Firestones are truly "live rubber” Tyres. These are reasons why you get "most miles for the money” in Firestones. If your garagi is out of -stock, write to P. H. VICKERY. Couth land Agent. X BESONi SOAY GIVES NATURAL BEAUTI TO SKIN AND hate, That natural beauty of skin and hair Which cannot be imitated, can bo obtained by regular use of Rexona Skin and Facial Soap. Ordinary Toilet Soaps do not assert this influence. Many of them contain free alkali, which tends to dry the skin, and destroy its delicate texture. Even the best of such soaps can only cleanse; they cannot heal and protect the skin. Rexona Soap contains the same soothing, healing, antiseptic balsams as Rexona, the Rapid Healer, the value of which in the treatment of skin affections is 1 known throughout the world. Simply use Rexona Skin and Facial Soap regularly once or twice a day, and see if it does not quickly soothe and cleanse the pores, lessen the tendency to pimples, and leaves the complexion clear, fresh, and velvety. Price, 1/6 per tablet. Obtainable everywhere.

An extensive range of mufflers in all the newest styles is now showing at THOMSON & BEATTIE’S: Silk mufflers in all the newest shades; also smart effects in stripes. Prices from 3/11 to 16/6 each. Fleecy mufflers, extremely comfortable for cold weather, in all the best colours from 3/11 to 6/6. Shirts of quality, value, and style. All British manufacture. UNDRILL’S, opp. Post Office.

GOAL. STRIKE! PETROL WILL BE CARRIED BY THR RAILWAY. CONSULT WOODS & CO. RE MOTOR CYCLES, MOTOR CARS. Immediate delivery. Any make.

Quick dispatch to obstinate colds Is certain with "NAZOL.” Some drops taken on lump sugar or inhaled, a little rubbed on the chest, that simple treat-, ment has made thousands well. 1/$' buys sixty doses. SYNOPSIS NEW ADVERTISEMENTS. On page 1— Wanted, milk. For sale, bricks. Wanted, gorse-cutters. Wanted, married ploughmen. Bargains at Wesneys Bros.’ sale. On page 6 Returned Soldiers’ Concert In Theatre at S. J. H. Kirk and Co. —Notice to rabblters Notice re land valuations. Bank of N.Z., Bluff, opens only. Try Hemingway & Robertson’s Correspondence ’ Schools. Notices re shooting and trespassing on properties at Five Rivers. Notices of thanks from mayor, councillors, etc. On page 8— Clearing sale at Dipton, Monday, April 30.