COMPULSION IN BRITAIN.

Taranaki Daily News, 4 May 1916, Page 4

COMPULSION IN BRITAIN.

Those who have intelligently followed the attempts in Britain to solve the recruiting problem cannot have failed to be convinced that sooner or later, in spite of all attempts at a compromise, general compusion must be adopted. The Government had a most difficult problem to face, it being essential that at this time of crisis there should be no political upheaval, and it was with a view to avert such a disaster that strenuous efforts were made to placate the various parties representing all shades of opinion on this extremely controversial question. Success in such a course was almost beyond possibility, and the sudden withdrawal of the measure based on compromise was conclusive evidence that there was but one way to deal with the question—out and out compulsion. It will be seen by to-day's cables that the Government has now faced the recruiting question resolutely by introducing a measure that should have the desired effect. Already the Empire's total naval and military efforts since the war commenced have raised more than five million men, but it is imperative that provision must quickly be made for securing two hundred thousand married men in order to keep up the army's strength and provide for the contingencies of the summer and autumn campaigns. The new Bill provides for general immediate compulsion, which has the immense advantage of abolishing piecemeal treatment. The appeal which Mr. Asquith made for unity of interests should not be in vain. At no time more than the present has it been necessary to show the e(iemy that the country and the Empire is one in its determination to win, no matter what the cost may be. It is reassuring to know from such a high authority that the Allies' naval and military situation a* a whole has never been so good as it is to-day. Mr. Asquith may rest assured that he has the confidence of the people in Britain as well as in the Empire, and we all recognise that the British Government ha 3 loyally and zealously striven to do its best. There have been blunders that we all deprecate, but fortunately they have not materially prejudiced the cause for whifh the Allies are so strenuously contending. The blunders as well as the effective measures should serve as a potent stimulus to further efforts, while the adoption of general and immediate compulsory service should set an example to the Dominions that may be productive of the best results. We are out to win this \>ar, and as there is only way in which that task can be accomplished there should be no hesitation in bringing the lull manhood strength of the Empire to nely in the vitally necessary work of .'ecuring complete victory as the only ricans of enjoying the blessings of sevii'ity and peace.