FO371-23518 — Page 284

Page 284

Page 284

-2-

110

4. The insertion of the new last clause of the

bill a pended hereto has the same object in view. By

disbanding the Reserve without repealing the ordinance

members of the three groups who desire to be freed from the

obligations imposed on them by the ordinance would find

their wishes gratified without further action on their

part. at the same time the machinery for the reconstruction

of the Reserve would remain available in case of need.

5. The General Officer Jommanding and I are agreed

that unless world affairs deteriorate further it will not

be necessary to call members of the combatant group up

for training. The process of medical examination,

enrolment and assignment by the Compulsory Service tribunal

of all medically fit men to one or other of the three groups,

with the further assignment by the proper military authority

of men in the combatant group to the navel, military or

air sections, will obviate the dangers of delay and

confusion which would arise had these steps still to be

taken on the occurrence of an emergency. On the other

hand, the dislocation of business due to this measure will

be negligible until training begins and the bill will, I

think, have the easier passage on that account. I do not,

however, propose to mention publicly the intended

limitation of action under the ordinance on the occasion of

the bill's introduction: it will not be difficult to let

that intention be known in the circles principally affected.

Needless to say, there will be no hesitation in calling out

group (a), and in certain circumstances group (c) also, for

training should the state of international politics

make that step desirable.

6. I shall be grateful for an early telegraphic

statement of your views upon the contents and enclosures

of this despatch.

I have etc.,

(Sga)

G. Torthcote.

Page 284

Page 284

Page 284