the Secret Session.

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume LXI, Issue 16604, 27 April 1916, Page 5

the Secret Session.

THE Off I£6IL REPORT.

GOVERNMENT'S POLICY OUT= LINED.

COMPULSION TO -BE USEfI IF ;■ : required.

Received 9-40 p.m., April 26. : ' LONDON, April 26. iThe official report of the secret session' of the House of Comnnns slates: — ' Mr. Asquith gave particulars of the Expansion of the army since the outitreak of war and the total military $orts of the Empire, including the [contribution of overseas. He reviewed the recruiting prohlem, and said if had been shown that the results to date had fallen short of the requirements of our proper military efl«ts. This was due not to our overestimate of the men available, but trt the time required for sifting individual cases, without enquiring into jtfer essential national services. ;-;The Government, in order to meet 'c situation, has determined on the prolongation, until the end of the #ar, of the service &f time-exj?ired nr : en, also to empower the transfer jif territorials to any unit where needed; to render exempted men lifble to military service immediately f)j the expiry of the exemption certificate; and to enrol all youths as they reach their 18th year. i The Government h?.s decided to Rake an immediate effort to secure he voluntary enlistment of unattest'(3 married men. If ou May 27th, i;-',000 of these have not been secur!d> the Government would ask Pai"■ament for compulsory powers. The ime course ia to be taken if weekly itlistments after May. 27th- do, not sach 15,000 until 200,000 unattest■?s have been obtained. M special committee has been ap«inted to draw up a scheme to enWe men to meet their1 civil liabili|es. It is proposed to assist married l ?d single men in regard to rent,' and fortgage interest, the payment of .in-. laments under contract, taxes, rates, Bsurance premiums and school fees; J |* total relief not to exceed £104 fi" annum, | The House resumes in secret on Wednesday. ?