POST-WAR AUSTRALIA.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 63, Issue 41, 27 November 1942, Page 3

POST-WAR AUSTRALIA.

§ RETURNED MEN’S PROPOSALS. SYDNEY, November 26. A permanent Australian Army of 100,000 men is included in a policy adopted by the annual Commonwealth Congress of the Returned Servicemen’s League. The policy is intended to secure the post-war re-establishment m civil life of fighting men, and is described as an “Australian charter.'.’ The proposals include the retention of fighting services’ personnel on strength until they are reinstated in their pre-war positions or absorbed into other pursuits. Special training should be provided where necessary. The institution of housing schemes to meet a shortage estimated at more than 250,000 homes is proposed. Other proposals are: Unification of Australian railway gauges; the. expediting of preparations foi extensive ieafl'orestation; the building of irrigation works in the central,’ northern, anti other arid parts of Australia, and an immediate plan for soldiers land settlement, rural development, and decentralisation. The congress also decided to urge on the Government the importance of vocational training for former servicemen and women. The congress affirmed its belief in the principle of/ total conscription of manpower, wealth, and national resources, and, decided by a narrow margin that the Government be asked to declare that the Commonwealth military forces should not be limited to Australia and its mandated territories; but should be available, fox the defence of the * United Nations where required.