The Argus (Melbourne, Vic. : 1848 - 1957)(about) |
Previous issue
Wednesday 20 November 1918
Next issue
Send to:
|
70 corrections, most recently by kees - Show corrections
DEMOBILISATION.
SIR JOHN MONASH IN CHARGE.
The appointment of Lieut.-General Sir John Monash as Director-General of De- mobilisation should ensure that the work of bringing back the troops from Great Bri tain will be accomplished speedily and with the minimum amount of dissatisfaction. Lieut.-General Monash will probably be aided in his work by other well-known officers of proved organising ability. No de- tails of the plans made, beyond those already published, have yet been received
by the Defence authorities.
Arrangements for the demobilisation of A.I.F. reinforcements, and the elimination of all surplus home service personnel, have been almost completed in Victoria. The District Guard has already been reduced by about 25 per cent., and it is anticipated
that within a short period it will have been reduced to less than half its original strength. The State Commandant, (Briga- dier-General Williams) said yesterday that the clearing hospital at Broadmeadows had been closed, and by the end of the present week the troops in camp, numbering about 25,000, would have been granted leave. The question of continuing the Aviation Train- ing School at Portsea is now receiving the
attention of the authorities.
It is not likely that any of the large mili- tary hospitals will be closed for some considerable time. In view of the large numbers of men who will be returning, it is considered that provision should be made for the treat- ment of patients in the event of an epidemic occurring. The staffs, however, will be re- duced as soon as this can be done without lessening their efficiency. Even after the war it may be necessary to retain at least one hospital in each capital city to deal with cases of recurring illness occasioned by war service.
Reinforcements Recalled.
Persons having relatives amongst the
troops on board the two Australian trans- ports recalled from New Zealand will be relieved to learn that none of the men landed in the Dominion. The Minister for Defence (Senator Pearce) said yesterday
that the troops on one of the transports had been transferred to another vessel, owing to the cable message despatched by the department not having been received by the Br¡tish Admiralty in time to pre- vent this being done. Whether the vessel would be quarantined on arrival in Sydney would be a matter for the quarantine au- thorities to decide, and would no doubt depend upon whether it was a "clean"
ship.
Small Arms Factory.
Senator Pearce said yesterday that for the present there was no intention to dis- pense with the services of any of the em- ployees at the Small Arms Factory, at Lith-
gow.
Men leave Camp in Pyjamas.
SYDNEY, Tuesday. - In the Legislative Assembly to-day Mr. Lang stated that, owing to the refusal of the Federal autho- rities to supply demobilised soldiers in Liverpool camp with civilian clothes, some of the men had to leave camp in pyjamas. He asked the Premier (Mr. Holman) if the
Chief Secretary would arrange to supply these men with the necessary clothes. Mr. Holman replied that if such cases were brought under the notice of the Chief Secre- tary proper steps would be taken, but he imagined the Federal Government would take full responsibility.