INDUCEMENT TO ENLIST

Evening Star, Issue 26091, 3 May 1947, Page 6

INDUCEMENT TO ENLIST

HIGHER PAY IN AUSTRALIAN SERVICES CONSCRIPTION REMOTE CANBERRA, May 2. When Cabinet discusses the interim defence forces of Australia soon, it is expected to agree to an all-round increase in pay to the services, a slight increase in the proposed army strength of 30,000, and the introduction of retiring pensions for those who complete five years’ service satisfactorily. Cabinet Ministers have indicated that the introduction of compulsory military training is improbable. High army quarters reflect perturbation at the rapid decline of the Australian Army. The number of infantry who could be put in the field in Australia or any of its territories is stated to be negligible and not to be assessed at much beyond 120 natives at Rabaul. By counting every man in uniform, the army could not muster more than 35,000 men of all ages and 1 classes, including 10.000 in the Australian occupation force in Japan, and 1 11,000 recruits for the interim army, some of whom are raw material. Apart from the force in Japan and recruits, the other available men comprise an assortment of clerks, hospital orderlies, and ordnance men scattered through the States. The reason for the position was stated bv a high armv authority to be pre-occupation with demobilisation.