HINTS OF SURPRISE FOR ATTACKERS

Timaru Herald, Volume CXLIV, Issue 21051, 1 June 1938, Page 9

HINTS OF SURPRISE FOR ATTACKERS

Britain Prepares for Emergency Will Conscription Be Introduced? United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright (Received May 31. 5.5 p.m.) LONDON, May 31. Labour members expressed alarm in the House of Commons at Sir Thomas Inskip saying that in the event of war there was certain to be a competent authority to allocate a suitable position for each individual. Nobody could escape from it bj 7 choosing an attractive position in peace time, for instance in the Territorials. Air raid wardens have interpreted this as meaning that legislative machinery has already been devised for conscription. Other Labour members demanded to know if the plans included the conscription of labour and wealth. Sir Thomas Inskip (Minister for the Co-ordination of Defence) emphasised that the plans would be subject to submission to the House at the proper time. Labour speakers contended that the plans should be produced in the House immediately, and demanded the opportunity for a full discussion. The debate automatically ended at 11.30 p.m. Sir Thomas Inskip in a broadcast statement said that “joint plans had been prepared by the Navy and Air Force, for every emergency, and providing for complete trade protection. Some of Britain's greatest scientists were helping in the task of air defence. some in latest discoveries that were already coming into use. An enemy may expect to encounter some formidable and perhaps unexpected forms of defence. CONSCRIPTION RUMOURS DENIAL OF CHANGE OF POLICY United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright (Received June 1, 12.15 a.m.) LONDON, May 30. The political correspondent of the Associated Press states that conscription will be submitted to Parliament for instant introduction immediately war occurs—this is the actual meaning of Sir Thomas Inskip’s statement in the House o' Commons. The suddenness and ir expectedness of the statement occi .ring in a minor debate, when on] fifty members were present in the c. amber has caused exaggerated surpi se, stimulated by the Labour members . ttempt to seek political capital. Apart fn m the circumstances in which the statement was made, Sir Thomas’s speech contained nothing new. The statement did not go beyond Mr Chamberlain’s earlier declarations, nor does it alter the Government’s unequivocal assurances that conscription will not be introduced in peacetime. EXTENSIVE PLANS IN FRANCE VAST UNDERGROUND SHELTERS United Press Association— By Electric Telegraph—Copyright LONDON, May 30. The Paris correspondent of “The Daily Telegraph” reports that an air raid precautions pamphlet reveals that Paris has 27.656 cellars capable of sheltering 1,720,000 people, and in the suburbs, 7,232 cellars capable of sheltering 600,000. A scheme has also been completed to evacuate 1,500,000 within 10 days.