Territories' Defences

Quick Enrolment of Volunteers

WHEN it was seen, late in August, that war was likely, urgent steps were taken in all the British and French territories in the Pacific to enrol and equip home defence forces.

The efficient defence organisation which already existed in Fiii was rapidly ex panded, and now includes large forces of Europeans, Fijians and Indians.

Steps taken months ago in Western Samoa to enrol a volunteer defence force proved most opportune, and to-day there is available a large and well-equipped body of European and Samoan volun teers.

As described elsewhere, a body of vol unteers has been enrolled in Papua.

Emergency measures passed by the New Guinea Legislative Council, Rabaul, on September 4 gave the Administrator power to increase the European Police Force by enrolling a Special Reserve European Constabulary.

Authority also was given on September 4 to enrol a volunteer Defence Force in New Guinea, as follows: Rabaul Battalion Headquarters.—l Machine Gun Section and 1 Rifle Com pany (less two Platoons).

Wau.—l Rifle Company; l Machine Gun Platoon.

Salamaua.—l Rifle Platoon.

Lae.—l Rifle Platoon.

The total strength of the approved Force is 20 officers and 400 other ranks.

Immediate action was taken to organise this Force and to enrol volunteers.