DEFENCE OF AUSTRALIA

Grey River Argus, 16 July 1943, Page 5

DEFENCE OF AUSTRALIA

HOME VOLUNTEERS Still Needed [Aust. & N.Z. Cable Assn. J SYDNEY, July 15. “While the threat of the invasion of Australia has been reduced, war’s uncertainty and its surprises, were such that the threat might come again,” said General Blarney, in a message to all Commanders of Commonwetlth Volunteer Defence Corps, marking the third anniversary of the establishment of the Corps.. “Security could remain only while adequate forces were maintained in Australia to preserve it. Whatever* the course of the war might take, the responsibility of Volunteer Defence Corps remained as important as ever. Its morale and fighting efficiency must be maintained at the highest level.”

No Snobbery

IN AUSTRALIAN ARMY. OFFICERS AND RANKERS DRINK TOGETHER. SYDNEY, July 15. _ Australian military officers, it is understood, will not be brought before courts martial in future on charges of committing a breach of military discipline by drinking with other ranks. Interest . had been aroused by a case in which a Major was acquitted by a court martial on a charge of having drunk intoxicating liquor in public with two noncommissioned officers “to the prejudice of good order and military discipline.” The prosecutor cited an “unwritten, law” forbidding such a practice which is not specifically banned by the King’s Regulations. “The Court’s refusal to make a military offence of this incident will be generally approved,” commented the “Sydney Sun” editorially. “There is no ground for any belief that discipline can be prejudiced because off duty it may be reasonably relaxed in accord with friendship.” Several officers said that the decision of the court martial would meet with the approval of the entire Australian Army. “We hold strongly to the view that the Australian Army is a democraic army,” said one. “In time of peace a man makes many friends and .although in time of war some men are appointed to commissioned rank that is no reason why earlier friendships should be discouraged, That an attempt should have been made, presumably on high authority, to break down the democratic foundations of our Army is not merely to be regretted, but also strongly resisted.”