Aust. Recruiting Men To Fight Anywhere In World

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXVII, Issue 23366, 23 September 1950, Page 7

Aust. Recruiting Men To Fight Anywhere In World

(10 a.m.) CANBERRA. Sept. 23. “Korea has disproved the predictions of those experts who have thought in terms of push-button wars waged by a few scientists,’’ said the Prime _ Minister Mr R. G. Menzies. last night in the second series of three nation-wide broadcasts on defence. “In that country, he added, the greatest and most vital need has been and is the trained fighting soldier and, in particular, the man who fights on foot. Science cannot win without ni “The present establishment for Australia’s regular army is a mixed brigade group designed for the dual purpose of serving as a striking force and constituting the nucleus of a rapidly expanding force in the event qf war. “The Government has decided that the objective should be two brigade groups one a mobile striking force complete in itself, the other to act as a depot. ... , “This will involve the expenditure of more millions of pounds and some reduction in our already insufficient industrial man-power. “For Service Anywhere

“From now on all recruits to the regular army will enlist for service anywhere just like the navy and air force. Those already in will be given the opportunity of re-attesting. “The Citizen Military Forces, _ a volunteer force doing part-time training, has a present strength of 18,500 as against a planned strength of 30,000. We have decided to raise the target to 50.000. “In future members of the Citizen Military Forces will be enlisted for service anywhere. Provision is being made for the re-enlistment of those now in. There is no compulsion. Nobody is bound to enlist but if he does it is for service wherever he may be sent. Mr. Menzies announced the following new weekly pay rises for the Unmarried recruit under 21, £4/18 living in. or £7/1/9 living out; married recruit, £7/19/3 whether living in or out.

An adult recruit will, in the same order, be paid £5/13/9, £7/17/6, £B/15/-. An ordinary unmarried sergeant will be paid £9/19/0 living in, £l2/3/3 living out and, if married £l3/0/9. A warrant officer in the survey corps will receive up to £l3/16/6 single and living in, £l6/0/3 living out and married.