LEADER REPLIES

Auckland Star, Volume LXXII, Issue 303, 23 December 1941, Page 5

LEADER REPLIES

SUPPLY HANDICAPS Malay Material Was Sent To Russia And Libya United Press Association.—Copyright. Rec. 2 p.m. SINGAPORE, Dec. 22. "We must bear in mind that this is a world-wide war and must take a broad view of the situation," said Air Chief Marshal Sir Robert BrookePopham, at an impromptu meeting of the Singapore civil community leaders. He asked his audience to see Malaya's position in association with other fronts, including Russia and Libya, with which Malaya was actually co-operating. Valuable supplies, which they needed in Malaya, went to Libya and Russia, and these were probably largely responsible for the successful campaigns there. "We've lost a large part of Northern Malaya, but only for a time. Things might have gone differently if we had had more equipment," he added. "The Japanese introduced a new method of operation. They were so lightly equipped, wearing singlets and sandshoes, as to appear like civilians. Moreover, they are able to live on a country which our troops are unable to do. "The bright side of the picture is the A.B.C.D. co-operation. The United States is co-operating with Malaya despite its own tremendous problems, and the Chinese are attacking the rear of the Japanese at Hongkong, while the Netherlands air and submarine exploits are already famous." Sir Robert Brooke-Popham appealed to leaders of the community to build up confidence and help to put down fantastic rumours, defeatist talk and uninformed criticism.