PROPOSED TRIP TO LONDON

Press, Volume LXXVII, Issue 23413, 21 August 1941, Page 5

PROPOSED TRIP TO LONDON

STATEMENT BY MR MENZIES

“AGREEMENT NECESSARY BY ALL PARTIES ”

(Received August 21, 12.45 a.m.)

- CANBERRA, August 20. In a tense atmosphere, the Prim# Minister of Australia (Mr R. G. Menzies) urged the House of Representatives to-day that he should return to London immediately, but he declared that because of the balante of strength in Parliament, it would not be practicable except with the approval o£ all parties. Immediately he finished his statement members of both chambers toot part in a joint secret session. The British High Commissioner (Sir Ronald Cross),, the American Charge d'Affaires (Mr Minter), and the Act-ing-High Commissioner for Canada (Mr Rodgers) occupied seats on one side of the diplomatic gallery, and members of the Japanese Legation occupied seats on the opposite side. Giving reasons why the Cabinet had asked him to pay another visit to London, Mr Menzies said the war had undergone extraordinary and sudden changes, notably the invasion of Russia, the conquest of Syria, and the Japanese occupation of Indo-China. Events in Russia and the Middle East, he pointed out, might well affect the whole strategy of the Middle Eastern zone, while the occupation of IndoChina was a matter of paramount importance to Singapore, Australia, and the Netherlands East Indies.

Both matters taken together raised questions as to the disposition, maintenance, and equipment of the Australian overseas armies. ! Moreover, the meeting between Mr Churchill and Mr Roosevelt had opened up a new vista of British-American collaboration. This applied not only in the field of military supply but also in the economic field generally. In all these matters it was of great importance that Australia’s voice should be directly heard in the place in which major decisions were customarily made. Mr Menzies added: “It is still true that each nation in the British Commonwealth of Nations has its own immediate risks, its own method of approach, and its own viewpoint”

It is understood that Ministerial colleagues- do not intend that the question of Mr Menzies’ mission to London should be treated as a vital Parliamentary issue by which it will stand or fall.

The full Cabinet on Monday discussed the political situation and the nature of the broadcast to be delivered by Mr Menzies to-night. Members of the Cabinet are clearly apprehensive of Labour’s attitude, and have taken the stand that the Government’s case should be placed before the people in such a manner as to bring an instantaneous and favourable reaction.

A significant development yesterday \yas the assurance given by a Government Party member, Mr W. V. McCall. to the Labour Party, that he would support a Labour administration if Mr Menzies sought an election as a solution of his troubles. It is also reported that additional Labour members are showing a disposition to desert the Leader of the Opposition" (Mr J. Curtin) and throw in their lot with the New South Wales trio who are strenuously combating Mr Menzies’ proposed trip to London. Dr. H. V. Evatt, in a further statement yesterday, said; “I am convinced that the primary object of those Ministers who sponsored the move for the Prime Minister’s visit to London was and is to hinder effective opposition to the present Ministry during the indefinite absence abroad of the Ministry’s head. I and my colleagues condemn that proposal on public grounds.”

The Australian Minister in Washington (Mr R. G. Casey) to-day conferred with the l United States Under-Secre-tary of Slate (Mr Sumner Welles) about Australia’s position in the Far Eastern picture. No details are available.