AUSTRALIAN' RECRUITING.

Hokitika Guardian, 3 July 1917, Page 1

AUSTRALIAN' RECRUITING.

GOVERNMENT’S PROPOSALS.

SYDNEY, June 30.

Hon. AV. M. Hughes lias announced that the Government is formulating a recruiting policy, it lias taken into consideration the present posifon of the war circumstances under which Parliament elected Ann Government which is pledged not to resort to compulsory service, save under certain circumstances, which in liis opinion have not arisen. He will therefore submit the proposals, in harmony .with the pledges which he believed will keep Australia’s five divisions fighting up strength till October, 1918.

The British War Office, basing the estimate of wastage on the .Somme offensive, had advised the, Commonwealth that 1(5,500 reinforcements were required monthly hut happily later experience had proved that the estimate was too high. The winter campaign and ' the Spring offensive, had led the Government to fix tho minimum number required at 7000 monthly. He estimated that there were still 110,000 single, and 280,000 men between the ages of 18 and 44 eligible. . • -

During the past six months recruits bad averaged 4750 monthly. In May the number fell to 4500 which was quite inadequate. The Govcrnmon- desired to secure additional recruits to enable the 5000 remaining members of the First. Division to ‘return to Australia Mr. Hughes • promised early legisla.tion to give effect to a generous repatriation scheme, to the interests of dependents preference for returned soldiers employement and had authorised the Minister of Defence to convene State Conference of sporting bodies fc<> give, leffect to Government proposals Regarding the restriction of sport he finally appealed to all sections to sink the past and to work harmoniously to support, the policy which would not impose an impossible task on the community. The Director of Recruiting in confident that the number desired can be secured.