MOBILISATION OF MILITIA ORDERED.

Auckland Star, Volume LXX, Issue 210, 6 September 1939, Page 9

MOBILISATION OF MILITIA ORDERED.

AUSTRALIA ACTS.

78,000 Men To Be Called Up In Drafts Of 10,000.

ME. MENZIES' INSTRUCTIONS.

United Press Association.—Copyright,

(Received 10 a.m.)

CANBERRA, this day.

Complete mobilisation of 78,000 militiamen in Australia, to be called up in drafts of 10,000, was ordered last night by the Prime Minister, Mr. R. G. Menzies. , The object of restricting drafts to 10,000 was to avoid dislocation of business. He pointed out that universal training could now operate under the Defence Act, but it was not immediately practicable to train and equip additional troops. National Government Unlikely. There is no likelihood at present of the formation of a National Government in Australia, nor of coalition with the Country party. The United Australia party has decided to maintain its separate entity. The Labour party is pledged to support the Government in measures designed for the welfare and safety of the Australian people.

Australia's war organisation will, however, be placed under the control of a War Cabinet, the personnel of which will be announced shortly.

The British Government has informed the Commonwealth that it will buy the whole of the Australian surplus of butter, cheese, meat and canned fruit, including pineapples. Arrangements have also been made for the disposal to Britain of the entire surplus of wool. Britain, however, would probably not be able to buy the whole exportable surplus of wheat.