ARMY CAREERS.

Hokitika Guardian, 13 January 1928, Page 3

ARMY CAREERS.

XO KEENNESS IN A I 'STB ALIA

SYDNEY. Jan. 3. ft is an extraordinary thing, but nevertheless a fact, that Australia, a vast continent whose insularity and sparse population leaves it in a most vulnerahl (-position, makes only a sort of sideline of defence. A number o Sydney schoolmasters have been asked the reason, as far as they can give it. for the general disinclination of ho>R to adopt the army as a career. general reply, in effect, is thru the material advantages and prospects of other professions far outweigh those of the army. The fact is that, except for the rare few who. after many long veal's, attain to distinguished tank, the nay and conditions and general outlook are such as a sidled tradesman would scorn. T.. these, materialistic and mercenary days, youths, in seeking a profession are far ess inclined to offer themselves on the . • of their country than they were for-

merly. . Before the war. there was no lack of candidates for entry into toe professional army. Since then, there has been a. marked falling off. Hue to a wove of economy which hit both the naval and military services and to the natural fear that a young man. after sacrificing the best of his years at soldiering, might find his occupation none Federal Governments will 1" - sihlv wake up to the fact some day that it pays better to spend more on defence, and on encouraging youths to enter the profession of arms, and ta, less on costly, and. for the most part, futile commissions, if thov have to cur their suits according to their financ i. cloth.