BRITISH RECRUITS

Waikato Times, Volume 126, Issue 21040, 16 February 1940, Page 5

BRITISH RECRUITS

TO GO TO FINLAND LABOUR PARTY ATTITUDE APPEAL FOR ASSISTANCE (Ofneia) Wireless) (Received Ifeb. 16, 11 a.m.) RUGBY, Feb. 15 The press warmly welcomes the decision to permit British subjects to volunteer for service in Finland. The Times says: “ An army of succour to a small people fighting for liberty could not, even in these times, be complete without a substantial contingent of Englishmen, and it is with whole-hearted approval of all classes and parties that a recruiting office has been opened in London.” The Manchester Guardian, in welcoming the announcement that British volunteers are free to go to Finland, says: “ We could not do other in the light of the League of Nations’ resolution.” The Herald says: “Yesterday the National Council of Labour decided to appeal for funds to help the Finns. Be ready to give the fullest support you can to this first tangible token of sympathy from British Labour to the Labour movement in Finland and other Scandinavian countries.” New Policy Formulated Hitherto isolated applications for exit permits by British volunteers for Finland have been dealt with individually. The varief; factors taken into account included the question of whether, by reason of age or special qualifications, the applicant’s services were needed elsewhere. The lawful establishment of the Finnish recruitment authority will probably necessitate the formulation of a policy of more general application and the matter is receiving consideration.