AUSTRALIA'S ARMY.

Auckland Star, Volume XLVIII, Issue 155, 30 June 1917, Page 5

AUSTRALIA'S ARMY.

VOLUNTARYISM TO CONTINUE. NEW EFFORT MADE. RESTRICTION OF SPORT. SYDNEY, June 20. A statement of the recruiting policy of the Government was made to-day by the Prime Minister. Mr. Hughes "said that in formulating it the Government had taken into consideration the present position of the war and the circumstances under which Parliament was elected. The Government was pledged not to resort to compulsory service save under certain circumstances, which, in his opinion, had not yet arisen. Therefore he submitted proposals, in harmony with his pledge, which, he believed, would keep Australia's live divisions up to fighting strength. In October, 1916, the British War Office, basing its estimate on the wastage of the Somme offensive, advised the Commonwealth that 16,500 reinforcements were required mouthly. Happily later experience proved that this estimate was too high. The winter campaign and the s2iring offensive led the Government to fix the minimum number required at 7.000 a month. It was estimated that there were still 140,----000 single men and 250.000 married men between the ages of 18 and 44 eligible. During the past, six months recruits had averaged 4.750 a month. In May the number fell to 4.500, which was quite inadequate. The Government desired to secure additional recruite to enable the 5,000 remaining members of the First, Division to return to Australia. j Mr. Hughes promised early legislation to give effect to a generous repatriation scheme, to protect the interests of de- i pendents, and to give preference of employment to returned soldiers. He said he had authorised the Minister for Defence to convene State conferences of sporting bodies to give effect to the' Government's proposals regarding the ' restriction of sport. Finally he appealed to all sections to sink the past and work harmoniously in support of a policy which did not impose an impossible task on the community. The Director of Recruiting was confident that the number desired could be secured.—(A. and N.Z. Cable.)