LATE NEWS DISCONTENT IN ARMY

Greymouth Evening Star, 7 August 1946, Page 7

LATE NEWS DISCONTENT IN ARMY

LONG SEPARATION FROM - FAMILIES (Recd. 3.5 p.m.) LONDON, Aug. 6. The military correspondent of the Daily Telegrauh urges the Government to take immediate steps to check discontent among regular army officers. This-discontent, he states, is caused chiefly by the prolonged separation from their families, which has been the lot of. many senior officers. This separation was accepted as a necessity during the war, but now the war is over many officers can see nothing ahead of them but prolonged overseas service away from their families.

Other causes for the discontent are the fruits of the policy which prevented permanent promotions during war. As a result many officers who distinguished themselves on active service have now reverted considerably in rank, and have very few prospects of promotion, .. ........ Li... Among junior officers discontent is being caused by the extent to which the recommendations of psychiatrists are being accepted in the selection of young officers for permanent commissions. It. is claimed that these recommendations often run directly contrary to the opinions of senior officers who have a first-hand knowledge of the applicants, and that there is a suspicion that, pyschiatry is a dangerous weapon, which may be used to eradicate those deemed politically or socially undesirable. HALF WORLDIAID TO BE UNDERNOURISHED (Rec. 3 p.m.) WASHINGTON, Aug. 6. The United States Food and Agriculture Organisation has reported that even before the war half of the world was 'seriously undernourished and that to feed the increased world population by 1960, it would be necessary to increase production by the following percentages: Cereals 21 per cent; potatoes and other root crops 27; sugar 12; fats 34; beans and peas 80: fruit and vegetables 163; meats 46; and milk 100. A survey showed that the daily average consumption before the war varied from 3,281 calories per capita in New Zealand to 1,904 in Korea. The Organisation said that the United Nations-should aim to raise subnormal diets to the minimum of 2,600 calories, and, in countries averaging more, the target should be to improve the quality rather than to increase energy value. LONGEST UNMANNED FLIGHT YET MADE (Rec. 3 p.m.) NEW YORK, Aug. 6. After the longest unmanned flight in history two Army 817 drones arrived at Muroch, California,, from Hawaii. A 'mothership controlled each drone. The flights were made at 150 to 165 miles an hour at 6,500 feet, and took approximately 15 hours. One drone dropped a smoke-bomb near the coast, this involving the opening of the bomb-bay doors, the releasing of the bomb and the re-closing of the doors, all by remote control. The test, was designed to prove the efficiency and practicability of guided missiles. ■