AUSTRALIAN ITEMS

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume LXXII, 21 October 1916, Page 5

AUSTRALIAN ITEMS

MELBOURNE, Oct. 20. General Sir Douglas Haig has cabled to Mr Hughes stating that the Australian divisions in France are far below their strength, and that drafts are hot arriving, in sufficient numbers. The divisions fought splendidly, but they cannot continue to achieve (results unless their strength is kept up. The successes of the past few months justify absolute confidence in our power to win a final victory, but it is not yet won. Sir • Douglas Haig continues: ■' 'To complete our work and secure enduring peace the utmost efforts of the Empire and the Allies ar© required for a long time yet. I hope that strong drafts will be dispatched, and the strength maintained."

Mr Hughes has issued a proclamation releasing rural workers from militai'y service for the necessary period.