RED ARMY MEN

Auckland Star, Volume LXXVI, Issue 147, 23 June 1945, Page 6

RED ARMY MEN

LIBERAL GRATUITIES

Demobilisation Of Older

Groups Planned

N.Z. Press Association—Copyright Rec. 2.30 p.m. MOSCOW, June 22.

Marshal Stalin was given a great "Victory" ovation when he attended the opening of the twelfth session of the Supreme Soviet in the Kremlin.

The first subject on the agenda was the draft of a law on demobilisation of the older age groups from the Red Army. General Antohov, Chief of the General Staff, detailing the provisions of the draft law, revealed that it provided for the demobilisation., of 13 of the older agej.groups, the first stage of which would begin in the latter part of .this year.

"Great care and fatherly solicitude must be shown towards the men in this demobilisation of millions," he said. General Antonov announced the following gratuities:— XD One year's pay for every year of service for the rank and file of all-arms-and services paid under the general army schedule; (2) six months' pay for every year of service for the rank and file of special units who received higher pay; (3) six months' pay for sergeants; (4) two months' pay for one year's service, three months' pay for two years' service, etc., for officers. "Returned soldiers must be given jobs arid housed," General Antonov added. "Local authorities in rural areas where houses were damaged by the war must help to provide soldiers' accommodation or provide building materials and isstie loans covering the cost ?of building. "The Red Army must not rest on its laurels. We must digest the lessons of war, develop our military science and our armed fofces and face new tasks, and in the newsituation must ensure for Russia the possibility of peacefully healing the wounds of war and continuing work to improve our welfare ana culture. As a result of the end ot the war in Europe we can accomplish these tasks with smaller forces, enabling partial demobilisation of the Red Army." . ' The draft law was then submitted for consideration, bringing the sitting to an end.