RATES OF PAY FOR A.I.F.

Southland Times, Issue 23992, 6 December 1939, Page 5

RATES OF PAY FOR A.I.F.

Rises - Announced By Mr Menzies

PARTIES SETTLE DIFFERENCES

(United Press Assn.—Telegraph Copyright)

(Received December 5, 10.10 p.m.) CANBERRA, December 5.

The threatened Federal political crisis, which arose over soldiers’ rates of pay, was averted today when the Prime Minister (Mr R. G. Menzies) announced in the House of Representatives rises of military pay which met with the approval of the Country Party. Mr Menzies intimated that the militia would receive eight shillings a day until their camp training was ended, when they would go into the reserve and make way for the compulsory trainees, who will receive five shillings a day. Mr Menzies added that the Second Australan Imperial Force would be paid seven shillings a day on embarkation (a rise of one shilling a day), but two shillings of this would be deferred until their return to civil life.

The Labour Party immediately moved an amendment designed to give both the militia and the Australian Imperial Force eight shillings a day. The Labour leader (Mr J. Curtin) described the Prime Minister’s statement as a grudging submission made in political interests.

The agreement revealed that it had become politically necessary for the United Australia and Country Parties to patch up their differences or be annihilated. AUSTRALIANS IN TRAINING COMPLETE UNIT IN EUROPEAN_THEATRE PRACTICE IN SUNDERLAND FLYING-BOATS (British Official Wireless) RUGBY, December 4. The formation of an Australian squadron for active service with the Coastal Command of the Royal Air Force early in the New Year will mean that Australia will be the first Dominion to have a complete unit of its own air force in service in the European theatre of war. Members of the squadron already, in this country are . receiving intensive training in air reconnaissance and the application to war purposes of the armament of the big Short Sunderland flying-boats with which their unit has been equipped by the Commonwealth Government. Aircraft of the Coastal Command have flown approximately 2,500,000 miles on reconnaissance since the outbreak of war. Patrolling must be carried out in all weathers and the crews are often obliged to remain aloft for a whole day. Always vigilant, they search the sea for U-boats and enemy warships and the air for hostile aircraft. They keep a watchful eye on British and neutral shipping and accompany British convoys for hundreds of miles along the trade routes of the world. ~ _ . The Royal Australian Air Force is well acquainted with the problems of overseas navigation and reconnaissance, though the Australians now here will be flying in conditions new to them. The Sunderland flying-boats with which they are equipped are formidable aircraft, specially' suited for longrange reconnaissance work over tne S6 The standard armament of the Sunderland is powerful and comprehensive, for both defence and attack. This hignwing monoplane weighs more than 20 tons, yet, with a wing area of more than 1500 square feet, the aircraft has an exceptional lift and can take off in 33 seconds. Four Bristol Pegasus XX radial engines develop 3360 horsepower. There is a crew of six, but the aircraft can carry more than 20 persons m addition.