RECRUITING FILLIP

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 85, Issue 292, 11 December 1941, Page 5

RECRUITING FILLIP

RUSH !N AUSTRALIA DRASTIC RESTRICTIONS FUEL OONBERVATION Melbourne. Dec. 9. Recruiting in Australia has been greatly stimulated as a result of the break with Japan. Enlistments yesterday and to-day were three times larger than on any other two days for a tear. Nearly a thousand men who were recruited in Sydney since tester lav were conveyed direct to camps.

Following the proclamation of a state of war between Australia and Japan, the War Cabinet has decided to recall additional militia for more intensive training, and also to call up 1600 women for the Army and 500 for the Air Force, thus relieving a corresponding number of men for more active duty. Technical advisers are now working out details of regulations for commandeering supplies of’raw materials for the defence forces and essential industries. Other regulations which are being drafted include stricter control of transport, petrol, coal, oil and non-essential spending. By progressive steps civilian requirements will bp subordinated entirely to the needs of the Services. Drastic restrictions are to hp imposed on transport services which usp either petrol or coal Motoring for pleasure is to hp prohibited. Long-distance travelling by trains will he disallowed except for business or urgent domestic purposes. An appeal is made to persons engaged in essential industries to abandon their holidays. A schedule of shortened shopping hours will be drawn up after the position has been examined, the object being to save fuel and transport and to reduce civilian consumption. Steps are being taken to prevent a rise in prices, and the creation of black markets. a< occurred in Europe. The Miners’ Federation to-day pledged its full support to the Government’s war effort, even to the extent of carrying on through the holidays. T> is max mum production will be maintained.

Thp Japanese Minister. Mr Kawai. paid a formal final call on Dr. Evatt. Minister of External Affairs, to-day. Dr. Evatt handed him a cony of the proclamation of war. Mr. Kawai expressed deep regret that relations harcome to such a pas*. This is the last time Mr. Kawai and Dr. Evatt wit* meet n their respective Ministerial ranarities.

New constitutional procedure was adopted bv Australia in declaring war on Janan. A proclamation was Issued hv the Governor-Gen°ral at the renm«l of H s Maiestv the King, who was artinr exclusively in this matter, on the advice of Mr. Curtin. The King’s signature was rushed to Australia bv photogram for publication in the Commonwealth