AUSTRALIA

Greymouth Evening Star, 12 May 1945, Page 5

AUSTRALIA

RECRUITING REDUCED

CANBERRA, May 11. Substantial reductions in air force recruiting and training, in Australia will be announced officially soon. Between next June and December 30,000 men will be released from the Australian Army, and it is possible that further numbers up to an additional 30,000 may also be released, ibis will depend upon the outcome ol a comprehensive review of the Australian manpower situation to take place before the New Year. At the same time major adjustments will be made to manpower in civil industry and employed by the Allied Works Council. The projected re-allocation ol manpower is necessary to make ready for new supply strains which Australia is expected to sustain while the war in the Pacific is being intensified pending the final defeat of the Japanese. Recruiting for R.A.A.F. ah\ crew has almost ceased already, and it is announced officially that any future recruiting will be on a highly selective basis About 20,000 R.A.A.F. personnel have participated in the last stages of the European war, and it is not yet known whether these men will be transferred to a theatre of the Japanese war, employed as an Australian token occupation force in Europe, or returned to Australia and largely discharged.

BRITISH DOCKWOR KERS.'

CANBERRA, May 11. “The decision lo bring out .British dockyard'workers to Australiav aa made some months ago, and has nothing to do with present industrial disputes,” said the Minister of the Nav.' (Mr. Makin). He said 500 u Bntrsn workmen would come to Auswa-ia assist in servicing the British t acute Fleet in Australian docks. A big percentage of the workers will be engaged at the new Captain Cook dock in Sydney. . “The decision to bring these workers to Australia is entirely due. to the great shortage of technical operatives in the various trades engaged in tins class of work,” said Mr. Makin. ‘lhe extra strain which will be imposed on our manpower in mobilising our full strength for the ultimate defeat ot Japan makes it clear that Australia has not sufficient technically trained men to meet every demand that might be made in an ever-increasing force as represented by the British Pacific Fleet. Thousands of skilled workmen are required in British establishments for this essential purpose.”