MR MENZIES EXPLAINS.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 61, Issue 123, 6 March 1941, Page 5

MR MENZIES EXPLAINS.

‘APPEASEMENT NOT ADVOCATED' QUESTIONS BY WAR COUNCIL LONDON, March 5. The Australian Prime Minister (Mr R. G. Menzies) made a. statement today about his speech on Monday. He said he did not mean to suggest a policy of appeasement to-ward Japan. “I am not advocating a policy of appeasement, or anything remotely tosembling it,” he said. From Melbourne it is reported that members of the War Council at a meeting to-morrow expect to ask a number of questions concerning the basis of Mr Menzies’ speech. Mr F. M. Fordo, deputy-leader of the Labour Party and a member of the War Council, said to-day that he would be interested to learn from the Acting-Prime Minister (Mr A. W. Faddr-n) what caused the conflict of opinion among Mr Menzies, the War Council and the Cabinet concerning the Pacific. “Mr Fadden’s recent warning was given after careful consideration and advice from responsible quarters,” Mr Forde said. “I would like to know whether .Mr Menzies was advised by the Government of all the relevant facts before making his appeasement speech. “It seems strange that the Government leader abroad speaks with one voice and the War Cabinet with another. “I believe we should encourage the friendliest relationship between Australia and other Powers. Wo want peace in, the Pacific hut we have too much to Jose by following a policy of laissoz fnirc. The experiences of other cftnntries have shown that appeasement can be carried too far.” Mr J. A. Beasley said Mr Menzies’ remarks were calculated to make every American wonder whether the British Empire was embarking on a .policy of appeasement in the Pacific.