FOOD FOR AUSTRALIA

Evening Post, Volume CXXXVI, Issue 67, 16 September 1943, Page 5

FOOD FOR AUSTRALIA

MAN-POWER DIFFICULTY

Rec. 1.20 p.m.

SYDNEY, Sept. 16,

The Commonwealth authorities which are planning food production have asked for' the release of at least 50,000 men from the Army and other sources to meet the continually increasing demands of the Australian and Allied services and of civilians. They point out that food production in Australia is now static and must inevitably decline unless men are made available. Australia could not expect to receive reinforcements of troops in the Southwest Pacific unless she could feed them.

The Director-General of Agriculture, Mr. F. W. Bullock, said in a national broadcast: "America will send us more men to shorten the war, but we must be able to feed them. At present the smallest number in ten years is working in the rural industries to meet the biggest food demand Australia has ever known. The release of manpower is essential."

The War Commitments Committee has completed a report on means of meeting Australia's changing obligations in the Pacific war theatre. Changes in the basic employment policy are expected in view of the attitude of the Army and the Government that the invasion danger has passed.