Right Hon. S@
The hon. member for Russell (Hon. Charles Murphy) made an inquiry in the House a few days ago. with respect to a press report that Australia had made arrangements to send 50,000 members of the original Australian Expeditionary Force to their homes for rest. I addressed a telegram on the same day to Sir George Perley in the following terms:
Press telegram reports Australia has made arrangements to send fifty thousand of original Australian Expeditionary Force home for a rest irrespective whether corresponding reinforcements are sent from Australia. Question as to this has been asked in House of Commons. Please report soon as possible whether press statement has any and what foundation.
To which I received a reply yesterday as follows:
Australian High Commissioner's office states question of returning original Australian Expeditionary Force was raised in Australian House but no instructions have come to Australian headquarters, London, regarding such return and High Commissioner's office not aware of any action taken to effectuate it.
Subtopic: STATEMENT BY PRIME MINISTER AS TO SUGGESTED HOLIDAY.