AUSTRALIA'S PLANS

Evening Post, Volume CXXVIII, Issue 64, 13 September 1939, Page 10

AUSTRALIA'S PLANS

TRAINING OF MEN

DRAFTS FROM MILITIA

NO CONSCRIPTION FOR ABROAD

(From "The Post's" Representative.) . SYDNEY, September 8. The Federal Government does not intend to introduce universal training in Australia immediately, but the Prime Minister, Mr. Menzies, has made it clear that when universal training became feasible the Government would not hesitate to introduce it. He has reiterated an assurance made twice previously that there would be no conscription of Australian man-power for service overseas.

In the meantime plans have been completed for a complete overhaul of the militia training system so that the Army will be composed of the most efficient men available. The whole of the militia forces of 78,000 men will be called up in successive drafts of 10,000 each for training at their war stations and for the protection of vulnerable points. For the time being each draft will be placed at its station for 16 days. Action will be taken immediately to speed up the creation of a special militia force. As each draft of the militia is called up experts will cull those who do not satisfy physical requirements and those whose civil occupations make it necessary that they should be exempt from military service. The vacancies in the forces thus created will be filled by volunteers who are now offering.

"The Government, in acting on these lines, is following the advice of its defence experts," said Mr. Menzies. "The desirability of calling up the whole 78,000 members of the militia at once was considered but it was felt that this would inevitably cause unnecessary dislocation of production and business. The Government, having considered the problem of compulsory training, directs attention to the fact that the provisions of the Defence Act impose upon citizens the universal obligation to serve within the Commonwealth and its territories in time of war. The most urgent problem, however, is one of training. It is not immediately practicable to train , and equip more troops than are available now in the militia. But while this is being done preparations will be made for the extension of the forces to the extent that circumstances demand. The Government will not hesitate, as it becomes feasible, to reintroduce an effective scheme of universal training and service." *