AUSTRALIA UNLIKELY TO HAVE COMPULSORY MILITARY TRAINING

Greymouth Evening Star, 3 May 1947, Page 7

AUSTRALIA UNLIKELY TO HAVE COMPULSORY MILITARY TRAINING

CANBERRA,. May 2. When the Cabinet discusses the interim . defence forces of Australia soon, it is expected to agree to an allround increase in pay in 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. By counting every man in uniform, the Army could not muster more than 35,000 men of all ages and classes, including 10,000 .in the Australian occupation force in Japan and 11,000 recruits for the Interim Army, some of whom are raw material. Aparl from the force in Japan and recruits, the other available men comprise ar assortment of.clerks, hospital orderlies, and ordnance men scattered through the States. . The reason for this was stated b; a high Army' authority to be pre occupation with demolisation.