AUSTRALIAN ARMY

Greymouth Evening Star, 18 July 1942, Page 5

AUSTRALIAN ARMY

INDUSTRIES BEING COMBED JAP. ATTACKDISCUSSED (N.Z.P.A. Special Australian Correspondent). SYDNEY, July 17. In the absence of overwhelming superiority in sea and air power every effort is being made to ensure continued rapid expansion of the Australian land forces as the Commonwealth’s main defensive bulwark. The Minister of Labour (Mr. ‘E. J. Ward) has been reported as declaring that 65 per cent, of Australia’s manpower is already in the fighting forces, but this assessment is generally held to be too high. The obvious conclusion that Japan has no early intention of making a direct attack on the Australian mainland is accepted here with some reservations. The general viewpoint is reflected in the “Sydney Sun” editorial comment: “It is the merest conjecture, since the enemy will obviously make no advertisement of his aims. If we are to guess, it is safer to guess at the more dangerous contingencies, to assume that the enemy has designs for an attack upon us at the moment. Such an attack may appear necessary or advantageous.” It is with this viewpoint that the Australian Government is standing firm in opposition to any weakening of the Army’s numerical strength. The only releases of manpower which can be expected are for intermittent seasonal occupations. The release of a number of shearers has been announced.

Australia’s manpower policy is governed by one consideration only—the minimum number required to be retained in civilian activities. Several industries have already been reviewed by the manpower authorities and wharf labour is now being combed out. It has long been known that some watersiders have worked only part of the week and have taken holidays for the rest. Every man left, in the industry must be prepared to work every working day. Some indication of the demands the services are making on Australian industry, as well as of the disposition of Australian forces, is given by the announcement that 1000 carpenters are being drawn from New South Wales for urgent defence work in Queensland with the Civil Construction Corps. Fifteen hundred skilled tradesmen have already been called up in Queensland for service with the corps.

AERIAL OPERATIONS. SYDNEY, July 17. Minor Allied air activity in both the north-eastern and north-western sectors is reported in the latest Southwest Pacific communique. A reconnaissance unit on Wednesday attacked a small enemy ship off Boela, a village on Ceram Island lying between New Guinea and Celebes. Allied bombers also made a light attack on enemy installations at Salamaua. HOSPITAL~PROTECTION SYDNEY, July 17. Japanese symbols meaning “hospital” are being painted on the roofs of some of the Sydney hospitals. The symbols are easily discernible from the air. They are being used in preference to the conventional Red Cross sign. They are coloured scarlet, and are painted on a white rectangle about six feet long by four feet wide. PROFITS LIMITATION. CANBERRA, July 17. The Federal Government has decided to grant a further concession in its proposal to limit company profits to four per cent. The Treasurer (Mr. Chiffley) announces the Government’s decision to take in taxation only 80 per cent, of the profits above four per cent. The remaining 20 pei’ cent, concession will be allowed in the form of a rebate which might be held in bonds for the duration.