10,000 TROOPS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVI, Issue 23272, 15 February 1939, Page 14

10,000 TROOPS

'AUSTRALIAN PLAN A STANDING ARMY BUSH FOE MILITIA THOUSANDS OFFERING >33y Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright (Received February 14, 10.20 p.m.) SYDNEY, Feb. 14 The strength oJr Australia's militia force is now 57,759, and only 12,241 recruits are required to reach the aim of 70,000. It is almost certain that the Federal Government will adopt the recommendation made by the In-spector-General of the Australian Military Forces, Lieutenant-General Squires, for the formation of a standing army, of 10,000, says the 'Melbourne correspondent of the Sydney Morning Herald. Emergency Services Colonel F. M. Lorenzo, who will direct the organisation of the New South Wales Government's national emergency services, said that 20,000 people would bo required in Sydney alono to cope with air raids and other emergencies.

Action to improve the organisation for the conservation of food in the event of emergency was taken at a conference in Melbourne called by Sir Earle Page, Minister of Commerce. Air Mission Arrives The senior members of the British [Air Mission, Colonel Sir Donald Banks and Air Marshal Sir Arthur Longmore, arrived at Fremantle by the Orontes from London to-c'lay. They will furnish a confidential report to the Commonwealth Government on the most suitable types of aircraft to be built here, which they consider will likely be similar to those adopted for the defence of Singapore. The mission will later go to New Zealand.

If all militia recruits offering in districts could be accepted, the Australian defence authorities estimate that the total strength of tho forces in Australia could be raised to 90,000 instead of the present objective of 70,000. In one area in northern and north-western New South Wales where the quota of recruits required, on the basis of a total strength of 70,000, is 1500J the number of men already enlolled is 2700.

Similar reports, on a smaller scale, have been received from other centres. So great is the pressure from the country, for the formation of new training centres, and new units, that the military authorities throughout New South [Wales are awaiting anxiously the outcome of representations being made by the Minister of External Affairs, Mr. iW. M. Hughes, to the Minister for Defence, Mr, G. A. Street, for the extension of the militia organisation in the country to enable as many as possible of the recruits offering to be accepted. At present, the* Military Board, in Melbourne, will not permit the establishment of new units beyond the limited programme of expansion authorised at tho beginning of the recruiting campaign. This expansion has proved completely inadequate to cope .with the unexpectedly large and enthusiastic response in the country. In one area where two existing battalions were expanded to three, it is now estimated that material is offering for three additional battalions, making a Jotal of six in all.

BRITAIN'S AIR GUARD ALL VACANCIES FILLED (Received February 14, 6.30 p.m.) (British Wireless LONDON, Feb. 13 The continued enthusiastic response to the appeal for volunteers for the Civil Air Guard has resulted in all vacancies being filled for a considerable time ahead, and entry has therefore been closed.