An usual the marriage market is booming before the soldiers leave One man and his friend went on leave, were introduced to a couple of girls and went dancing. After the dance they were sitting together and the friend said the troops should be married. "I wouldn't mind giving it a go," said the other. "Do you mean that?" asked the girl. "Oh, in a way. maybe," he replied. Three days later the two were married.
"Australian soldiers will once more about with chests well out well in. Day after day repeat their exercises with Artillerymen rush and how to act under machine gunners are hard it, trying to reach the minimum time for assembling, dismounting, and training their weapons, Excellent Rations ili is plentiful: the meat is good. is always some form of sweet ith the major meals, of which the mixture of rice the cooks who are be doing not such job—which is lavish' praise in-
S are a proud race obsequiousness and the marrow of "such violent objections to salute they did last time. It Lid upon them that of a sign of servility but a tribute to men honoured!
King's commission. And learning quickly to adapt to military discipline comes harder for some than are greatly intrigued by their uniforms and military equipment. jen ever time offers they are hard cleaning their boots and og whatever has to be polished.
'a shortage of polish the e some-be seen in Europe," declared Prime Minister Menzies of Australia, "when their fame and achievements as fighters will stimulate our Allies and give the lie to the fatuous German hope that some fatal disease has overtaken British unity in the last 20 years."
Privates in the second Australian Imperial Forces get five shillings a day with deferred pay of two shillings dating from the time of overseas embarkation. There are allowances for dependents as before.
The cost of the last war to Australia was £878,144,985. The number of Aussies who enlisted was 416,809, of whom 336,524 were sent abroad. There were 58,132 killed and 135,684 wounded, which seems a large figure for a country which has a population of about 6,000,000. This time there is talk of 700,000 being mustered.
Certain sections in the country are not at all in favour of sending such large numbers of troops overseas. They are of the opinion that when Japan has successfully concluded the China campaign she will turn her attention south and what more.promising country is there, they ask than Australia where their teeming millions could be accommodated.
As the new Diggers march through the streets of Brisbane on their way to the railway station the old marching songs come wafting out, but "Tipperary" still leads all the rest. With backs straight as ramrods and arms swinging, they move. along proudly, on their way to battle for right against might, and all, as their camp commandant told them, "ambassadors of Queensland."
At the station where the farewells are said emotion runs riot. There are many sad partings of husbands and fathers from their loved ones but the smiles always eventually seem to break through. For "What's the use of worrying, It never was worth while.
So, pack up your troubles in your old kit bag And smile, smile, smile."
"Auld Long Syne" rises in the, air as the troop trains pull out. The Diggers are off to meet their destiny.
Yes, Australia will be there.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.