AUSTRALIA'S PREMIER APPEALS TO COUNTRY

Auckland Star, Volume LXXII, Issue 212, 8 September 1941, Page 7

AUSTRALIA'S PREMIER APPEALS TO COUNTRY

BACK UP WAR EFFORT

Expansion Of Forces And Of Industry I'niied Pro A*so":at: «n.—«"«"*pyr:2"hT. Rec. noon. SYDNEY, this day. An appeal to the people of Australia to back up the nation's war effort and the men in the forces abroad was made by Mr. A. \Y. Fadden. Prime Minister, in a national broadcast. Reviewing the two years of war Mr. Fadden said;

"\Ye may have to go through another two years of war. or even more, before we find pcace. but Australia will wage war wholeheartedly until the enemy is beaten to the ground."

Australia's war effort, he said, was rapidly gaining strength, anil, without being boastful or complacent. he was able to say th:n Australia could give a good account of herself in any emergency which might arise. He claimed that never before had a country of 7.000.000 people done so much in two short years. At least one in every four men was serving with the Ashling forces. That is more than 400.000 men are wearing the uniform of the navy, army or air force. Before another two years had passed that number will have gone beyond the 600.000 mark, he said. Behind the Front Line Behind the front line of sailors, soldiers and airmen was a large army of men and women numbering 200,000, engaged directly or indirectly in the production of munitions of war. equipment and war supplies. Behind them again were many thousands of voluntary workers who gave their free hours to the Services associated with the war effort.

•"The story of the Australian fighting forces in this war has shown the world that ours is a virile democracy, carrying on in the British spirit. At least three times as many men are serving with the Royal Australian N'avv as when the war broke out. For every one seiving in the army two years ago there are now ten by his side. For every man in the Australian Air Force in September, 1939. there are now 17 or 18."'

Australia might also be proud of what had been done as far as her industrial and economic preparations for war were concerned, added Mr. Fadden. In two years the nation had been revolutionised industrials, and the foundations laid of a great munitions industry, of a great aircraft industry, of a great shipbuilding industry. and of a great ordnance industry.

SIR EARLE PAGE MINISTER TO GO TO LONDON* Rec. 2 p.m. SYDNEY, this day. Mr. Fadden announced that Sir Earle Page. Minister of Commerce, who will be the Minister to proceed to London, will discuss with the British Government war matters of vital common interest. Before taking up his post in London Sir Earle Page may visit Singapore. His stay in Ix>ndon is expected to be brief.