MAN POWER.

Colonist, Volume LX, Issue 14611, 16 January 1918, Page 5

MAN POWER.

BILL INTRODUCED IN THE

COMMONS

MOST URGENT WAR PROBLEM

AGE LIMIT UNALTERED

NO CONSCRIPTION FOR IRELAND

(Reuters Telegrams.)

(Received Jan. 15, 11.35 p.m.) London, Jan. 14

Sir Auckland Geddes, Director of National Service, in introducing the Man Power Bill in the House of Commons, said that man power was the central war problem. The most urgent need a\ present was men for the Army. The position of Britain's Allies laid tho heaviest burden on Britain until America was ready. The Allies were still substantially superior to the'enemy/as

GABLE NEWS.

[Pkess Assqciatiou.—Copyright.]

regards men, despite the defection of Russia and Roumania, but the Rxissians' withdrawal had released 1,600,000 enemy troops for the West. The Em-' pire had hitherto raised seven and a half million troops.

Sir Auckland Geddes announced that the Government ,had decided for the present that the military age should be neither lowered nor raised. Compulsion would not be introduced in Ireland, but they would not hesitate to adopt any or'all of these measures if military needs were not met otherwise. Sir Auckland, Geddes went on to say that England had contributed 4,530,000 men, Scotland 620,000, Wales 230,000, Ireland 170,000, and the Dominions, and colonies 900,000 to the Army. They immediately needed another 420,000 to 450,000. It was untrue that the British Army in the field was dwindling. It was still stronger than ever, but it was necessary to look ahead and provide for the rearward services.

Sir Auckland Geddes pointed out that the problem could not be solved dramatically. ■ The Bill empowered the Direc-tor-General to withdraw occupational exemptions. Apart from the, Army's needs, the labour employing departments required a further 430..000 men and 119,000 women. Already 815,000 women munition makers were employed. .