URGENT NEED

Waikato Times, Volume 193, Issue 22203, 24 November 1943, Page 2

URGENT NEED

AUSTRALIAN MANPOWER RELEASE OF SOLDIERS (United Press Assn.—Elec. Tel. Copyright) (Received Nov. 24, 11.40 a.m.) CANBERRA, Nov. 24 The delay by the Australian Army in releasing men for the Federal (government’s manpower requirements has been strongly criticised at a meeting of the full Cabinet. Three Ministers—Messrs Forde (Army), Holloway (Labour) and Makin (Munitions) —have been appointed to investigate the delay. The Minister of Commerce, Mr Scully, is believed to have warned the Cabinet that the whole of the Government’s primary production scheme was being jeopardised by the delay. Government officials state that unless a big proportion of the 15,000 soldiers required for the rural industry are made available within the next fortnight many crops will be lost. The wheat and potato crops, it is stated, are nearly ready for harvesting, while blowflies are becoming a serious menace to sheep in many districts. Although the Government decided on October 1 to have 20,000 men released from the army at the rate of 2000 a montli only a handful of men are believed to have been made available so far. Some political commentators place the number at as low as 200. In New South Wales alone more than 3,000 applications for agricultural manpower assistance have been approved but few have been granted. The Army Headquarters has denied to the Minister for the Army, Mr Forde, that “moral suasion” is being used to prevent the men from leaving the services. Mr Forde said he is satisfied that the Army authorities are doing all they can to hasten the discharges recommended by the manpower authorities.