Disbandment Of Native

Regiment In New Guinea

Al Canberra, July 3.

N the Australian Senate to-day the Minister for Customs stated that col lective insubordination and threats by natives to use force had occurred in the Pacific Islands Regiment in New Guinea.

Senator Fraser said disturbances arose because of real or fancied grievances re lating to conditions of service. They were all brought under control without diffi culty or the use of force.

Senator Fraser said approval had been granted for the disbandment of three of the four native infantry battalions. The other would be maintained at gradually reducing strength until completion of the trials of Japanese war criminals in the Rabaul area.

Junior officers posted to the Pacific Islands Regiment from the Royal Mili tary College and the Officer Cadet Train ing Unit had been generally suitable.