AUSTRALIA'S MILITIA FORCES

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXXII, 25 January 1939, Page 5

AUSTRALIA'S MILITIA FORCES

SUCCESS OF RECRUITING CAMPAIGN RESPONSE BY YOUNG MEN IO.P A.—By Electric Telegraph—Copvrieht) SYDNEY, 23rd January, i Australia’s militia forces now number i 46,315 —an increase of 11,079 since the; recruiting campaign was begun at the end of September—according to figures issued recently by the Minister of Defence, Brigadier Street. Since 30th December, 1938, there had been a net increase of 3049 in the strength of the militia forces, Brigadier Street said. Inquiries at representative metropolitan recruiting booths during the last three weeks have indicated that young men arc responding steadily to the appeal for the establishment of a volunteer army of 70.000 men. Following the policy announced last week of making military training more attractive by the complete revision of physical training, and by spending money on drill halls to provide social clubs, recruiting figures are expected to rise sharply. The Minister for External Affairs, Mr Hughes, who is in charge of recruiting for the Commonwealth, is optimistic of exceeding the qouta set by the Prime Minister. Mr Lyons. He is touring a large portion of the Commonwealth, addressing meetings and establishing recruiting bureaux. An extensive propaganda campaign has been organised for the Commonwealth. including films shown at picture theatres, lantern slides, posters, and local recruiting drives.