MILITIA AND A.I.F.

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 86, Issue 114, 18 May 1942, Page 6

MILITIA AND A.I.F.

MANY ENLISTMENTS Sydney, May 15. Militiamen are applying in large numbers to join the A.I.F. following the Government decision to permit enlistments from the citizen forces. The Army Minister, Mr. F. M. Forde, states that he expects large ; transfers. The Government decision was made as the result of a conference between Mr. Forde and the commander of the Allied land forces. General Blarney. The normal A.I.F. rc- ; cruiting continues, but Mr. Forde em- . phasised that there had been no need ■ to appeal for recruits since Japan’s ’ entry to the war. Militiamen serve in Australia under ' the same conditions of training, pay, and pension rights as the A.I.F. They can be sent to serve in mandated territories, but they are not permitted to wear “A.1.F.” on a grey background or colour patches or “Australia” on their shoulder badge. Mr. Forde announced that the : A.I.F. physical standards will be lowered to permit militiamen of inferior 1 physique to join the A.I.F. The Min- ; ister stated that it was now consid- : ered that if a man was fit to fight in Australia he should be fit to fight outside Australia. Militia officers and non-coms will retain their militia ranks on transfer to the A.I.F. ‘‘lt is believed now that all barriers to militiamen joining the A.I.F. have been removed. Few men hesitate to volunteer for service abroad,” says a Sydney newspaper. Mililia transfers to the A.I.F. were 1 stopped when Jaoan entered the war.