At the last Imperial Conference it was agreed that Australia's first contribution to Empire defence was to make adequate provision for her own security. It now seems that a much greater contribution than this can be expected.
The Militia Army is enlisted for home defence. The Government has consequently decided to raise a vol-untoer force for service at home or abroad. Members of the Militia are eligible to enrol in this force, but recruits. who trained under the old system of compulsory universal service, are also available. In fact the response to the first appeal for re-fruits has so exceeded immediate requirements that a strict process of selection will be necessary. This based on exacting standards of ph: sical fitness, and on the principle of preference for single men between 20 and 35 years of age.
The Government has also announced its decision to enlist a voluntary Air Expeditionary Force to provide flying personnel for a number of squadrons to serve wherever required with the Royal Air Force. This will involve no depletion of the Royal Australian Air Force for home defence.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.