AUSTRALIAN FORCES

Wairarapa Times-Age, 7 March 1940, Page 4

AUSTRALIAN FORCES

ARMY CORPS OF 48,000 MEN

IN ADDITION TO AIR & SPECIAL UNITS.

FEDERAL PRIME MINISTER’S ANNOUNCEMENT.

By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright. MELBOURNE. March 6. The Federal Prime Minister, Mr Menzies broadcasting toniglit, announced a Government decision to recruit for service abroad an army corps of -18,0(J() men, comprising the First Division, which was now partly abroad, a Second Division of 1(1,000, plus a corps of troops of 10,000, with adequate reinforcements. It is estimated to raise the total of 90,000 men by June of next year. It has also been decided to send an army co-operation squadron of the Royal Australian Air Force for field service, also a railway survey company, three railway construction companies and two forestry companies comprising 40 officers and 1203 ranks. The* Government, said Mr Menzies, bad not. been guided by flamboyant suggestions from amateur onlookers, but by expert military advisers. it had also been decided to strengthen the militia by calling up one or two more age quotas for 10 weeks’ continuous comp training, giving a permanent camp force of 75.000. Programmes in hand, including the Empire air scheme would cost for the first two years of the war £180,000.000, compared with £60,000,000 for the first two years of the last. war. Mr Menzies concluded with an appeal to give up bickering and concentrate on the war task.

THE AIR SCHEME TRAINING OF 36,000 PILOTS . & OTHERS. In a speech stressing the importance of the Empire air training scheme, the Prime Minister of Australia, Mr Menzies. said it would secure Australia against foreign attacks, a Daventry message reports. With her 12,000 miles of coastline and a small population, Australia had to rely on her air force for her defence. The scheme would make available 36.000 pilots and other flying personnel wherever they were 'required. Mr Menzies also emphasised Australia's determination to play an active part in the war effort.