AUSTRALIAN DEFENCE

Otago Daily Times, Issue 24827, 29 January 1942, Page 6

AUSTRALIAN DEFENCE

COUNTRY ON WAR FOOTING OFFICERS FROM MIDDLE EAST (Air Mail) SYDNEY, Jan. 7. Reorganisation of the Home Defence Army aims to put Australia on a war footing, in which civilians will be expected to share by a further curtailment of amenities. The filling of high army commands by young and vigorous officers with a first-hand knowledge of modern warfare gained in overseas campaigns is to be followed by the recall of at least 54 A.I.F. officers and non-commissioned officers. Six major-generals brought back from the Middle East are planning, with the Commander-in-Chief of the Australian Military Forces, Lieu-tenant-general Sir Iven Mackay, a new and realistic training schedule to make militiamen tough and efficient. The Home Forces are being issued with larger quantities of more modern equipment, and will live as at battle stations under actual war conditions. Important Changes Proposed This means that the days of the Australian " chocolate soldiers " are over, and they will be placed on the same basis of discipline and training as the A.I.F. abroad. It is almost certain that distinctions between the two forces will be wiped out. Probable changes will involve adjustment of pay and conditions for the militia forces, extension of the powers of commanders of the militia divisions to give them the same authority as commanders of A.I.F divisions abroad, introduction of the same camp conditions, including wet canteens, deferred pay for the militia, and uniformity of pensions. There is certain to be objections to the elimination of the distinction, particularly frdm members of the A.1.F., and soldiers of the last war. Some have expressed the view that there should always be a demarcation between volunteers and conscripts, at least until the militia has been in action against the enemy, Since the call up of age groups, however, for military service, militiamen have been debarred from joining the A.I.F. even if they desired to do so. Conscription Issue

Newspapers are running a campaign urging the Government to repeal the Defence Act, which prevents forces conscripted for home defence being sent overseas. The Government, which in the past stood firmly by the resolution of the Labour 'Party against conscription for overseas, has been silent on the question recently. Still, there is nothing to indicate that the Prime Minister, Mr J. Curtin, has changed his views. But his followers believe that should he consider this the best means of defending Australia he would not hesitate to use his overpowering influence with the party to take such a drastic step. They are content to be guided by his judgment, which has not yet been at fault. His political opponents thought he had blundered when he made his " we must look to America" statement last week, but the alfiost immediate formation of a joint British-U.SA. plan to conduct the Pacific, war on a major scale justified the strong stand he took. Even the Sydney Morning Herald, which voiced horror and amazement at the statement, admitted, somewhat ungraciously, that Mr Curtin's realism had borne results. At the same time, it deplored the strength of his language.