MAN-POWER AND THE NATIONAL REGISTER.
[TO THE EDITOR OF THE " Specrseoe."3
SIR,—In view of the development of man-power under the scheme of Sir Auckland Geddes and in the former scheme of National Service of Mr. Neville Chamberlain, it seems marvellous that the National Register, which wee so carefully compiled, and as to which so much was said at the time of its formation, should not have been used for utilization of (man and woman) power. The Register supplied the means of ascertaining the particulars and capabilities of every one thereon, and would have rendered easy their utilization, and it is quite possible that a limited amount of compulsion might have been made use of in the case of those on the Register. To take an example, the Tribunals are attempting to co-ordinate trades, so that men of military age in such trades can be released, their businesses being managed by others over military age. It is possible to coerce those of military age, as they will not be exempted unless they comply with the terms laid down by the Tribunals; but it is impossible to compel those not of military age to fall into the scheme, and therefore very often such schemes fail. Properly worked, the Register, with- out undue compulsion, might enable those not of military age to fall into the general national scheme, and very often satisfy the real desire of those not of military ago to do their bit.—I am,
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