AUSTRALIA’S HOME ARMY

Evening Star, Issue 24082, 31 December 1941, Page 7

AUSTRALIA’S HOME ARMY

IMPORTANT APPOINTMENTS BRIGADIERS WITH WAR EXPERIENCE (Rec. 12.40 p.m.) MELBOURNE, December 31. Six brigadiers, who have served with the A.I.E. in the Middle East, are to be appoined to key positions in the Australian military forces to strengthen the forces within Australia. They • are Brigadiers H. C. Robertson (47), E. C. Plant (51), G. A. Vasey (46), C. A. Clowes (49), J. J. Murray (49), and S. G. Savigo (51). In addition, two senior oliicors in the armoured division are to be promoted and given higher responsibilities, and one other officer who is also serving within Australia will bo promoted to a higher command. The Minister of the Army (Mr Forde) described those selected as “some of the cream of the men selected by General Blarney.” Mr Forde emphasised that the purpose was to improve the efficiency of the service and strengthen the organisation of the home army. The actual changes in the command were approved by the War Cabinet, and according to Mr Forde, there will be “ certain retirements and rearrange-, meats.’’ Mr Fordo said the chief concern was to reorganise and improve Australia’s defences and enable Australia to get into top gear in the war effort at the earliest possible _ date. The appointments were made in accordance with the Government’s policy of utilising the services of capable younger officers experienced in modern warfare. Brigadiers Robertson and Plant have already returned to Australia and the others are due to arrive early in the new year. AUSTRALIAN RAGING SUBSTANTIAL CURTAILMENT (Rec. 8 a.m.) SYDNEY, Dee. 30. Following the conference of racing officials on the curtailment of racing fixtures for the duration of the war, the race days in Sydney and the metropolitan area will be reduced from 111 to 56 in 1942. Ascot. Kensington, Victoria Park, and Rosebery Clubs, which had 11 Wednesday and one Saturday each in 1941, will be given three Saturdays each in the coming year. The Australian Jockey Club will drop from 27 racing days to 19; Rosehill from 10 to seven; Canterbury and Moorefield from eight to six. Tattersail’s Club and Hawkcsbury fixtures have also been reduced. Trotting meetings cuts have not yet been dcl eided.