ROAD SIGNS TO GO; AUSTRALIAN ORDER

Auckland Star, Volume LXXIII, Issue 56, 7 March 1942, Page 8

ROAD SIGNS TO GO; AUSTRALIAN ORDER

100-MILE COAST BELT

Scorched Earth Plan If Japs. Attempt Invasion

Rec. 1.30 p.m.. CANBERRA, this day

All road direction signs in Australia to a depth of 100 miles from the coastline are to be taken down under the national security regulations order. The whole of Tasmania is also affected. Similar to the regula tion made in the United Kingdom early in the war. it is a precautionary measure necessitated hy the C terioration in the war situation. The order applies to all signs, including mile posts, direction posts, place names and maps which furnish anv indication of the whereabouts of any place. Street names, other than those indicating arterial roads, are excepted.

Destruction of motor cars, lorries motor cycles and bicycles will be carried uut by civilians if Australia is invaded, the military authorities have announced. Destruction of bridges roads and factories in any threatened areas will also be carried out bv the army.

Ready for Swift Action

The army and State authorities have completed plans to put the scorched earth policy into swift effect. The plan provides safeguards against unnecessary or premature destruction of property. The State authorities will be advised by the army when any area is in danger and instructions will then be issued to the civil population to destroy all transport and foodstuffs likely to be of use to the enemj-.

Tea supplies to the public will be cut by one-third on the present amounts. The Customs Minister, Mr Keane, has announced that the importation and distribution of tea will be directed by the tea controller assisted by a committee of trade and Government nominees.

The response by aliens to the opportunity voluntarily to join the fighting services has been disappointing, said the Army Minister Mr. F. M. Forde. The compulsorv provisions of the regulations will therefore be applied immediately. Mr. Forde said the first unit of the Army Labour Corps has been formed and tne first batch of refugee alien volunteers has been ordered to report for service. *