Sydney. Sept. 8..
The Prime Minister, Mr. A. W Fadden. in à broadcast yesterday reviewing two years of the war. said that at least one in four Australians of fighting age were serving with the fighting forces. namely 400.000 in the Navy. Army and Air Force Within two more years ihe figure would exceed 600.000. in addition to 200.000 engaged directly or indirectly in production of munitions and supplies. Naval personnel had increased three-fold and air force personnel seventeen-fold.
Mr. Fadden paid a fine tribute to Mr. R. G. Menzies, his predecessor as Prime Minister, who he said gave himself unselfishly. 4o his country in one of its, most difficult periods.
"The third year of the war will probably determine if civilization. already bruised and battered, is to survive" he added. "That is why Australians. with the free people of the world. are relentless in their determination ta sweep Hitler and his followers into oblivion,"—Reuter.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.