OFFICIAL VIEW

Auckland Star, Volume LXXII, Issue 286, 3 December 1941, Page 6

OFFICIAL VIEW

HOPE ABANDONED

NO DEFINITE EVIDENCE

SYDNEY, December 2

The Prime Minister, Mr. Cur tin stated to-day at Canberra that for the present no further information given regarding the fate of H.M.A.S. Sydney. The authorities were still without information of the events leading to the cruiser's disappearance beyond what they had obtained from the survivors of the raider which the Sydney sank. There was still no definite evidence that the Sydney had been sunk, merely a presumption which was so strong that all hope of the warship being afloat has been officially abandoned. Nevertheless the search was being continued over a wide area.

Mr. Curtin pointed out that the Government, in declining to give any further reports, was acting on reasons of security and strategv dictated by its service experts. He announced that he had given approval for a national fund initiated alreadv in this city to replace the Sydney. Ofie business man had headed the fund with £1000.

The wives and other dependants of the crew of the Sydney will continue to receive their allotments until further notice, after which, when the fate of the cruiser is finallv decided, adequate pensions will be'paid. Solemn Requiem Mass was heid in St. Mary's Cathedral to-day. It was attended by people of every class and creed as well as naval officers and ratings.