We have written elsewhere of the Bill, introduced by Mr.
Long in the Commons on Tuesday, for making a National Register. Here we need only mention the main principles of the measure. Its purpose is to register all persons, both male and female, between the ages of fifteen and sixty-five, and to ascertain the kind of work, other than his or her ordinary occupation, which each person is able and willing to perform. The registration will be under the control of the Local Government Board, but it will be conducted by the urban and rural authorities, with the advice and assistance of the Registrar-General. It is to be essentially a local registra- tion, but its results will be available not only to the larger local authorities, but to the central authorities. Each person registered will receive a certificate. There are to be limited penalties in cases of non-fulfilment of the obligation.
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