MILITARY SERVICE IN AUSTRALIA.

Press, Volume LVIII, Issue 17343, 3 January 1922, Page 9

MILITARY SERVICE IN AUSTRALIA.

FUTUSE OF DUNTROON COLLEGE. (By Cable—Press Associativa—Copyright.) (Australian and K.Z. Cable Association.) SYDNEY, December 31. The declining popularity of Duntroon Military College is causing anxiety, and it is suggested that the college should "be converted into a public school. When the new term commences in February, fifty-five cadets will be in training, of whom forty-four have spent from one to three years in the college. These re- | present an annual average output for the next four years of fourteen boys to take up staif duties at a cost to the taxpayers of well over £4OOO per head. At the present rate of decline, it is estimated that there will be no applicants for admission in 1924. He college costs £60,000 a year. The decline is stated to be due to_ parents realising the lack of prospects in military service.

LABOUR PASTY'S PROPOSALS. SYDNEY, December 31. The Australian Labour Party, in the final Redraft of its Federal platform, desires a democratic spirit in the army, the abolition of the salute and military oaths, no distinction between commissioned and non-commissioned officers, no employment of or interference by soldiers in industrial disputes, and the punishment of Ministers responsible for breach of the last provision. It is also proposed that citizens, on the completion of their training, shall retain their arms; and that there shall be no raising of forces for servioe outside the Commonwealth without the decision of the people. •