AUSTRALIA'S EXPEDITION ARY FORCE (FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.)

Evening Post, Volume LXXXVIII, Issue 69, 18 September 1914, Page 2

AUSTRALIA'S EXPEDITION ARY FORCE (FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.)

SYDNEY, 11th September. Australia's first expeditionary force for the service of the Empire having been duly made up to its strength of twenty thousand men, enlisting is proceeding steadily for the second contingent. The progress reports in the press in connection with enrolments contain some interesting details. Thus we learn that volunteers from the country are all round of a more desirable stamp than is the material offering from the metropolitan areas. To prevent tho troops from being tainted by a -criminal, element detectives are on vigilant but unostentatious duty at tho enrolling depots, and if a "shady" person comes forward as a volunteer word is quietly passed along to the enlisting officers, and prompt rejection follows. Thore seems to bo an inclination on the part of a goodly number of the volunteers to choose in advance for themselves in what section of tho force they will serve. But the enlisting officers will not stand any such bargaining. . A man must be ready to serve whore he is put, or he is not wanted. On/the other hand we read of university graduates and mon of established positions in the professional world offering themselves without reservation for service wherever they may be placed. A Methodist clergyman, and a solicitor are amongst those who have this week joined tho force as infantrymen. Circus riders, horse-breakers, and wallaby hunters were included in the variety of volunteers who offered themselves on one day at Sydney. Ono noree-breaker, who claimed to have followed that occupation for four ytitrs was anxious to join the Light Horse, but strange to say ho failed in the riding test. A city business man gave £250 for a silken Union Jack which was sold by auction in connection, with the theatrical patriotic carnival in Sydney. The flag has been handed over to the military authorities for the expeditionary troops, and is to be taken to theVfroul. , * All sections of the New 'South Wales party were in enthusiastic, accord when the Premier on Tuesday evening moved that leave 'of. absence be granted for the remainder of the session to two members of the Assembly, Lieut.-Colonol Braund and Sergeant Larkin, who are going to the front as soldiers from Australia. Lieut.-Colonel Braund, whose. seat is on the Liberal side, gained his present military rank some time ago. Sergeant Larkin, on the Labour side, enlisted ns private, but \va« without delay raised to the rank of sergeant, which he held some yeaie ago in an Irish regiment. "Tpdtly" Larkin, as he is familiarly called, is one of the best-known men in athleHc associations in New South Wales, where he i» the^ secretary of the Kugby Football League. This is the first time in tho history of tho oldest Australian State that a member of Parliament has left ivhilo the chamber has been in session to engage in actual warfare. Ringing cheers followed the speeches made by tho party leaden, and the Speaker m recognition of the patriotic action of the two Parliamentary soldier?. Lieut. -Colonel Brttund was presented by his fellow members with a fine field glass, and Sergoant Larkin, before he left to resume his- ablylierformed work of licking recruits into shape, Was given a wri&tlot watch to remind him of the good wishes of his Parliamentary friends.