THE CHINA MAIL, APRIL 27, 1999.
Pip
Can Hardly Call This Peacetime MR. CHAMBERLAIN
ON CONSCRIPTION
Obvious Weaknesses Of Voluntary System
STEPS TO LIMIT PROFITS
IN REARMAMENT
London, To-day.
"Broadly speaking, under the present procedure, mobilisation, whether complete or partial, could only take place after issue of a proclamation, different in the case of each Service, declaring that a state of emergency existed," stated the Prime Minister, Mr. Neville Chamberlain, ex- plaining the conscription decision in the House of Commons yesterday.
Issue of such proclamations, he continued, no doubt
GERMANY
INFORMED
Berlin, To-day.
It is understood that the British Ambassador, Sir Nevile Hender- son, informed the Nazi Secretary of State of the British Govern- ment's intentions regarding con- scription when the Ambassador called at the Foreign Office yes- terday. Reuter.
LABOUR TABLES AMENDMENT TO GOVT. MOTION
LONDON, TO-DAY THE GOVERNAT TION, WHICH WEL FO THE BASIS OF TO-AY'S BATE IN THE HOUËN SPO MONS, APPROVES COMP SORY MILITARY SEAINĮ AS NECESSARY F**, THE TIONAL SAFETY GAY F FILMENT OF OLASCH The Military Training Bill would EUROPEAN UNDERLAKIN
It welcomes the Government is seeking fresh powers a tiza profits of armament produ
vent additions to fudiidual firms and will take steko to
tunes through wat ducitéon
was originally contemplated as taking place be introduced in a week. when an outbreak of war appeared imminent.
"It is generally understood and accepted that in time of war, mili- tary service would be compulsory from the outset.
Mr.
ARMAMENT PRICES Explaining the further steps to But in present times war might, one man to devote himself to plea-limit profits in rearmament, not appear imminent and yet gen-sure or gain while his neighbour Chamberlain said that departments to training in had already exercised the greatest eral conditions might be so uncer-devotes himself
possible care in fixing prices to en- tain that it was desirable to take readiness for war.
sure that only a reasonable profit certain precautions without the
was made, but experience showed publicity and shock to public con- fidence which would be caused by
the difficulty of providing for possible contingencies beforehand, the issue of proclamations.
"Hitherto it had not been thought and it was felt that definite limita- Accordingly, the Government has decided at
introduce a necessary to introduce such a mea- tion of profits was the only method once to
"Reserve and sure in peacetime, and I renewed achieving the desired object with Bill entitled the
which the pledge given by Earl Baldwin Bill," Auxiliary Forces
and that compulsory service would not would simplify. procedure
be introduced during the life of would enable the Government.
this Parliament in peacetime.
by an Order-in-Council to au- thorise the various Service de- partments to call up any class or description of the reserve and auxillary forces.
NOT PEACETIME
"We are not at war now, but country is straining when every all its resources to be ready for The Bill would be temporary in war, when confidence in the main- character, and he hoped it would tenance of peace has been under- be passed without delay in order mined and everyone knows that if that the Government be empower-war is to come we might pass into ed to act under it at once.
NEW LIABILITIES
certainty.
all
that
The Parliame Party, after a aperi tęstid the House of Corimsons yeste decided to put đưa hết để ing amendment:
"Whilst prepared in keke cessary steps to protike fo safety of the gastan and ment of its internetedet o He wished to make it clear that tions, the House régavie the in the opinion of the Government, Government, in remeh eff when the country was engaged in pledges, should make th a major war, it was not the time luntary principle, it ha when individuals should be in- falled to provide (in man creasing their fortunes out of con-needed for defense,” ditions which the war created.
The Opposition -2.2arald PROFITS TAX
tabled 'a similar använt Reuter..
It was therefore the intention, if he war broke out, that legislation enacted imposing special penalties it in a matter not of weeks but of hours, we cannot pretend that this on profiteering, and providing that is peacetime in any sonse in which any increases in profits or increases in individual wealth should be ap- the terms could be fairly used. Every country in Europe had
"Under the Bill, it will be neces-propriately curtailed to the benefit which tho powers
Government sury to call up certain Territorial of the State.
These proposals for marshalling sought under the Bill, and practi-and a number of the Regular Army cally everyone availed themselves personnel to reinforce our system Britain's defences of it at one time or another to ef- of anti-aircraft defence through- fect partial mobilisation.
Jost the period of uneasiness, which may last for a considerable time
yet.
enrolled.
were
SEQUENCE OF EVENTS
READY TO RECI
PROBLEMS
designed Referring at questial lime?
outtions with Germans. with a single object, namely to ren-House of Commons :. Satin der this country able to carry The Government had given con-
its engagements in the belief that observed that the in that way, peace in Europe could ment would not refae » af sideration also to the new liabilities
discussion with de CazzoN best be secured.-Reuter. which, with the approval of all GREATER SACRIFICE
ernment of all questa sti quartors of the House, they had in- "This will entail, on the part of
Concluding, Mr. Chamberlain | between them on the deeditie curred in Europe within the last the Territorials who are called up, month and to the means at their
a greater and more prolonged sacri- said: "I would point out that the in the view of the Sea ( disposal to discharge them effec-fice than was anticipated when they proposals I have just outlined have ment, such a disemates bald arisen, like other steps in the mar-reasonable prospect of ance tively.
Mr. Chamberlain added: "I need "The Government has 'come to | shalling of our defences, out of the Trans-Ocean. perhaps hardly repeat that the ob- the conclusion that to meet these sequence of events.
"The acceleration and expansion jects of the assurances we have
new and exceptional conditions, given to certain countries, as well
some measure of compulsory mili- of our rearmament programme, the as the conversations now proceed-tary training for the time being increase in the strength of the Ter- ritorial Army, the decision to estab- ing with other governments, is not to wage war but prevent it.
"I say for the time being be- lish a Ministry of Supply with pow "Bearing this object in mind, we cannot but be impressed with the cause I wish to emphasise that the er to secure priority for Govern- view shared by the other Demo-Government's proposals, which will ment orders and now the proposal
be embodied in a second Bill entitl- for compulsory training, have cratic countries, especially by our
ed the Military Training Bill, will.been designed with one single, obs friends in Europe, that despite the
ject, namely to render this country || immense effort already made by be of a temporary character.”
able to carry out the engagements rearmament, nothing would so im-
Mr. Chamberlain indicated that it has entered into in the belief press the world with the deter-
best be mínation of this country to offer a the powers given by the Bills would that in that way the peace of Europe firm resistance to any attempt at last three years, but these could be can general domination, as its accept brought to an end by an Order-in-Wireless. ance of the principle of compulsory Council if circumstances permit. military service which is the uni- versal rule on the Continent.
OBVIOUS WEAKNESS "There is an obvious: weakness in voluntary system which allows
has become necessary.
THREE YEARS
ured."-British
The 8.5, Helikon resurten by tas Chinese press yeste day as "asized off Saigon" arrived in Hong Kong was - passed this morning at 7 a.m. et the end
of an incidentless voyage.*
On the other hand, they could be extended after three years for a year at a time, but only after an affirmative resolution by both Houses.
BRITISH SUBO
REGISTATO
Forms can fis
at all Polles
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REGISTER NO