AUSTRALIA'S NEW ARMY.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LII, Issue 16097, 10 December 1915, Page 8

AUSTRALIA'S NEW ARMY.

SYSTEM OF RECRUITING.

PERSONAL APPEALS.

EVERY ABLE-BODIED MAN.

Sydney, December 9.

The recruiting scheme for the new army of 50,000 men has. been issued. It is based on the quota system, in conjunction with local committees. An appeal in writing will be made to every able-bodied man, who will be asked to reply stating his intentions and disabilities in regard to enlistment, each local committee judging of the adequacy of the answers. If the reasons against immediate enlistment be valid, relegation to a later class will follow. If the appeal is negected or the reply be unsatisfactory, personal appeals will be made.

The local committee will be responsible to the State War Council, which will be responsible to the Federal Council. The share of New South Wales in the new army and the usual reinforcements up to June will be 36,000 men. Mr. Pearce, Federal Minister for Defence, states that the personal inquiries originally instituted in connection with the new recruiting scheme have been considerably modified. The Victorian House of Assembly has unanimously passed a uiction undertaking co-operation with the Federal Government. A deputation from the Industrial Council demanded the withdrawal of the new recruiting scheme, especially the suppression of the questions. Mr. Hughes, in refusing, said that if the unions assisted the Government compulsion would not be necessary. FINANCIAL ASPECT. £50,000,000 A YEAR. Brisbane, December 9. Speaking at Bundaberg, the Federal Premier, Mr. Hughes, said he estimated next year's war expenditure at over £50,000,000.