NEW ALLOCATION OF MANPOWER

Dominion, Volume 37, Issue 232, 28 June 1944, Page 4

NEW ALLOCATION OF MANPOWER

Plans For Australia GREATER SHARE FOR PRODUCTION Maintenance Of A.I.F. (By Telegraph.—Press Assn. —Copyright.) (Special Australian Correspondent.) (Received June 27, 9.30 i>.m.) SYDNEY, June 27. Australia’s future share iu the Pacific struggle which is uow moving steadily away from her shores, is now a main subject for discussion following the return of the Prime Minister. Mr. Curtin, from Great Britain and America. A redefinition of Australia’s part in the war is seen as the most urgent outcome of the Prime Minister’s talks with other leaders of the United Nations. Particularly this will mean the reallocation of Australia’s woefullylimited manpower resources to ensure labour for the vital war production needs instead of concentration on building up the armed forces. The pau'ity of the Commonwealth’s manpower for the tasks which the country faces is thoroughly realized in London and Washington, where it has been recognized that there must be a reorientation of the Australian military and industrial war effort. Though there will be no relaxing of Australia’s front-line fighting part in the war, this reorientation of effort will mean a reduetion of the. army strength apart from the A.I.F. divisions, which are available for service anywhere in the world. The strength of these A.I.F. divisions will be maintained. Commenting on ■ the plan, the “Sydney Morning Herald” says in an editorial: “This is no longer a country threatened even remotely with invasion; it is a base for attack. As such it is able to reduce its home defence establishments, and it must do so if it is to meet the heavy commitments for supply, equipment and foodstuffs. Having determined the proper size of the Australian expeditionary force with its reinforcements, and the number of troops needed for garrison purposes here and there in the islands, the Government should he in a position to return many more men to production. Food Output Important.

“The aim must be to avoid keeping wastefully under arms men who are urgently needed to sustain the military effort. Apart from the army, it is the Government’s duty to make a further and strict appraisal of the war industries to eliminate wastage of manpower.” Declaring that Australia is “tragically under-manned,” the Sydney “Sun” says editorially that any reallocation of manpower made in conformity , with the broad needs of the United Nations must clearly emphasize Australia’s place in the front line till victory is won. More consideration. however, must now be given to the great obligation of feeding and supplying' the Allied forces on this sector and to preparation for the rehabilitation of the civil and social structure after the war. . “Primary production is certain to figure largely in the new calculations for Australia’s manpower. Already in the past nine months the number of permanent rural workers has been increased by 26.400. These men came from the services and munitions. Dairying and food processing are two rural industries that are absorbing an increasing number of workers. “With the reallocation of Australian manpower as his chief obligation to the United Nations, Mr. Curtin in a field of purely domestic affairs faces the Commonwealth powers referendum as. his main homecoming problem. The continued nrestigfe of his Government will depend not a little on the passage of the referendum —the odds against which have lengthened during his absence. Mr. Curtin will undoubtedly give much of his personal attention to pressing the case for increased Commonwealth powers. ’