AUSTRALIA'S MAN POWER

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 3124, 30 June 1917, Page 7

AUSTRALIA'S MAN POWER

RECRUITING POLICY

STATEMENT BY THE FEDERAL

PRIME MINISTER

PLEDGE TO THE EMPIRE

(Eec. June 29, 11.30 p.m.)

Sydney, June 29. Mr. W. M. Hughes (Federal Prime Minister) announced that the Government was formulating i\, recruiting policy, and had taken into consideration the present, position of the war and tlio circnm6tnnces in which Parliament was elected. Tho Government was pledged not to resort to compulsory service save under certain circumstances which it opined had not yet arisen, therefore, it would submit proposals in harmony with those pledges, which it believed would keep Australia's five divisions at fighting strength until October, 1917. The British War' Office, basing its estimate of wastage on the Sommo offensive, had advised the Commonwealth that 16,500 reinforcements would be required monthly. Happily, later experience proved that estimate to bo too high. The winter campaign and the spring offensive- had led tho Government to fix tho minimum number required at 7000 monthly. It was stimated that there wore still 140,000. single men and 280,000 married men between 18 and U years of age who wore eligible. In the past sis months tho recruits averaged 4750 monthly. In May the number fell to 4500, which was quite inadequate. The Government desired to securo additional recruits, and enable 5000 of the remaining members of the First Division to return to Australia.

Mr. Hushes promised early legislation to givo effect to a Ftonerouß repatriation, scherao, to protect the interests of dedependants, and give preference to returned soldiers for employment. The Minister of Defence had been authorised to convene State conferences of sporting bodies to give effect , 'tn the Government proposals regarding tho restriction of sport.' Finally, Mr. Hughes appealed to all sections'to sink'the past and yorlc harmoniously in support of a policy which would not impose an impossible task on the. community.

The Director of Becriiitine is confident that the number desired can be secured. —Press Assn.