§ *LORD CHARNWOOD rose to ask the Secretary of State for War whether he is making use of, or will make use of, the services of the County Territorial Force Associations for the purpose of ensuring that recruits shall present themselves for enlistment in such numbers as may from time to time be required.
§ The noble Lord said: My Lords, in the impressive speech which the noble and gallant Field-Marshal made to your Lordships in the month of August last he gave voice to the determination of this country that its military forces should grow as the war went on. I think I may assume that, for obvious reasons, in carrying out that purpose recruits will be wanted in larger numbers at one time and in smaller numbers at another, but it is obviously impossible to regulate the flow of enlistment, which first and last must be enormous, by any simple process comparable to the turning on and turning off of a tap. There are two things which add force to that consideration. What quite inevitably happened when the first rush of recruits came, and came in such large numbers that it had to be checked, has had a damping effect which to some extent lasts. That would not by itself matter very much, but a large number of the people of this country only very dimly realise the character of the continuing national emergency in which we stand. I do not think that it would be reasonable to expect the mothers of the working 188 classes, who have such an important say in this matter of enlistment, to have any very clear realisation of the position in which the country stands. Day by day people read the newspapers and see news which, taken altogether, shows a satisfactory and continued progress in the war, and they are apt to draw the very natural inference that the war will speedily be at an end. But in spite of revolting incidents such as occurred at Chelsea the other day, when the appeal of Colonel Burne was treated in the horrible manner in which it was treated—in spite of occasional incidents of that kind here and there, I by no means wish to suggest that the recruiting problem is an alarming one. Nevertheless it presents serious difficulty, more serious in some parts of the country than perhaps is easily realised in a large centre such as London.
§ A step is being taken to deal with this matter which, so far as it goes, is excellent. I mean the circular letter signed by the leaders of Parties, which I believe in some districts has already been received by every householder upon the register. I think your Lordships would welcome, if it be convenient to give any such explanation, some statement of how it is proposed to follow up that step. Clearly there must be on the top of that some canvass of those who neglect to fill up the returns. The business of educating those who do not understand the country's need must go on hand in hand with this canvass. The calling up of the willing men must proceed with careful regard to the needs of industry, and, so far as possible, to special domestic circumstances. Men anxious to serve with their friends and neighbours should be enabled so far as possible to do so. Men honestly distracted between conflicting duties should, as I believe they can, be enabled to put themselves at the disposal of some authority in close touch with them.
§ This, my Lords, is a task which no centralised authority could possibly perform completely or satisfactorily. I believe that in the County Associations, with the district committees which they now command, the Secretary of State has at hand an organisation admirably fitted to perform any task of this kind which he may lay upon it. I would not, even remotely, hint any sort of minute criticism of a Minister bearing responsibilities so varied and so vast as are borne by the Secretary of State for War. 189 Nor do I wish to trouble him with any detailed suggestions. But I venture earnestly to hope that the Secretary of State will in this matter consult the Lords Lieutenant, many of whom are in some ways the best organisers of public opinion and of public effort in this democratic country. I think that before the House adjourns for a long time, as I understand it will to-morrow, your Lordships would welcome some assurance that full use will he made of the County Associations in this matter. The larger the responsibility that the Secretary of State for War may see tit to put upon them the more effectually will they be able to help him. I beg to ask the Question standing in my name.
§ EARL KITCHENERMy Lords, I am very glad to have this opportunity of expressing not only my own grateful thanks, but those of the War Office and of the Recruiting Department, for what the Parliamentary Committee have done to help us in this matter. I can assure the noble Lord that the problems which he has mentioned are having our most sincere consideration. We are trying to work out things on practical lines to help recruiting in every way. On August 7 last I addressed a letter to all the Lords Lieutenant and chairmen of County Associations inviting their co-operation in the work of raising recruits, and I am very glad to have this opportunity of expressing my thanks for what they have done.
The noble Earl opposite [Earl Curzon of Kedleston] asked me to give some information as to the number of recruits we were obtaining. Of course, it is a variable quantity, and I myself, as I said at the Mansion House, have nothing of which to complain. We get approximately 30,000 recruits a week besides regiments that are being formed by different localities. I do not say that that number will be sufficient. I think it will be understood from what I said before that the time will come when we shall require many more. When that time comes—and I shall certainly let it be thoroughly well known—I feel sure that we shall have the response which this country always gives on such an occasion.