DEMOBILISATION LAW

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume 80, 25 June 1945, Page 5

DEMOBILISATION LAW

OLDER AGE GROUPS Moscow, June 22. Marshal Stalin was given a great “victory” ovation when he attended the opening of the twelfth session of the Supreme Soviet at the Kremlin. The first subject on the agenda was a draft law on the demobilisation of the older age groups from the Red Army. General Antonov, Chief of the General Staff, detailing the provisions of the draft law, revealed that it provided for the demobilisation of thirteen of the older age groups, the first stage of which would begin in the latter part of this year. “Great care and fatherly solicitude must be shown towards the men in this demobilisation of millions,” he said. General Antonov announced the following gratuities:—One year’s pay for , every year of service for the rank and file of all arms and services paid under the general army schedule: six months' pay for every year of service for the rank and file of special units who received higher pay; six months’ pay for every year of service for sergeants; and two months' pay for one year’s service, three months' pay for two years’ service, etc., for officers. Continuing, he said that returned soldiers must be given jobs and housed. Local authorities in rural areas where houses had been damaged by the war must help to provide the soldiers with accommodation or provide building materials and issue loans covering the cost of building. “The Red Army must not rest on its laurels,” he said. “We must digest the lessons of the war and develop our military science. Our armed forces face new tasks and in the new situation must ensure for Russia the possibility of peacefully healing the wounds of war and continuing to improve our welfare and culture. As a result of the end of the war in Europe, we can accomplish these tasks with smaller forces, enabling partial demobilisation of the Red Army.” The draft law was then submitted for consideration bringing the sitting to an end.