FINE SPIRIT

Wairarapa Times-Age, 17 April 1942, Page 4

FINE SPIRIT

AUSTRALIA’S PEOPLE TAKE FIGHT TO THE ENEMY. GREAT UPLIFT TO MORALE. The official release of the news of the arrival of the American forces and the appointment of General Douglas MacArthur as Supreme Commander in the Anzac Zone has given a great uplift to morale in Australia. There has been a change almost overnight from a spirit of grim determination to defend the country at any cost to one of eagerness to strike out at the Japanese before they attempt invasion. Australians have been told that they are not going to be allowed to develop | a feeling of well-being and relaxation i because the Americans are here. Fed-1 eral Government Ministers and news-| papers have. stressed the need for a j still greater war effort and for more sacrifices. Something akin to American hustle has been infused into the actions of the authorities. WAR WORK COMES FIRST. The Army is now hastening the call up of group 3 for the Australian Military Forces. This group comprises married men and widowers between the ages of 18 and 35. The A.I.F. and militia have been merged into one force. Men between the ages of 45 and 60, too old for military service, who filled in national registration cards a fortnight . ago. are being called for medical examination prior to being drafted to non-combatant Army jobs. The Allied War Works Council, under the direction of Mr E. G. Theodore, now controls the movement of 150,000 war workers and 13,000 women in 600 establishments in New South Wales alone. The council is exercising its power to take employees from nonessential industries to essential industries. The Prime Minister, Mr Curtin, has announced that all men not in the fighting services may be compelled to carry out a civil defence service. Sport is being ruthlessly stopped where it interferes with the war effort. The Australian Jockey Club has been informed that Randwick racecourse may be required for other purposes on the days set down for the club’s Doncaster and Sydney Cup meetings. The club’s other course, Warwick Fprm, has been taken over since the beginning of the war. Two main suburban courses, Rosehill and Moorefield, have also been temporarily commandeered. The big Easter racing carnival may be held on one of the former pony courses, Victoria Park, on a less lavish scale. FOOD AND LIQUOR. The civilian population is to carry the whole effect of the 33 1-3 per cent cut in the sale of alcoholic liquors. Mr Curtin has warned breweries that they will not be permitted to withhold supplies of beer from Australian military camps to offset the cut in supplies to hotels. Tire Federal Government hopes that the States, who control their respective liquor laws, will arrange a system of staggered hours for hotel trading to enable munition workers and shift workers to obtain drinks after work. Some hotels are refusing to serve pints so as to eke out their supplies until the legal closing time. Measures to regulate distribution of many classes of food are being considered by the Government. There is no shortage, but transport problems are becoming more difficult. Provision ' cf fabrics for uniforms may mean introduction of regulations to restrict distribution of civilian clothes. Whatever restrictions have been imposed or suggested have been accepted without demur by the people. They get angry only when they hear of cases of wasted effort and material, or impatient when obviously necessary action is delayed.