BRITISH HELP FOR CHINA

Press, Volume LXXVII, Issue 23494, 24 November 1941, Page 4

BRITISH HELP FOR CHINA

MATERIAL AND EQUIPMENT INTERVIEW WITH MR DUFF COOPER < “We have no military alliance WitH* China,” replied the Rt. Hon. A. Dun Cooper, the British Cabinet Minister,, who is on a special mission to the Far East, when he was questioned by “The ; Press” yesterday. Material andequipment, he added, had been sent to China in the past from Britain and from the United States under the Lease-Lend Act. Plenty of supplies were now going to China by the Burma Road. That there was not the slightest chance of the Burma Road being again closed for the supply of war materials to China was indicated by Mr Dull Cooper, when his attention was drawn to the fact that the Australian GhjCfc ment had supported its last cloaEp’T' “I think the Netherlands Gomjrnj ment is quite satisfied,” said Mr'pun Cooper, when he was asked to*com* ment on reports that 'dissatisfaction, was felt in the Netherlands East Indies over the reported unwillingness officially of the British Government to pledge assistance to the Indies in tne event of a Japanese attack. Questioned on the strength of tne forces at Singapore, Mr Duff Cooper said he did not know anything •P®};’’ further reinforcements, and he dipnoi think that New Zealand would h® asked to send any men for the Army there. Singapore and the wholfr.oi Malaya had been very much reinforced lately. He did not think a j cau would be made on New or Australia for further financial contributions towards the Singapore navai The appointment of an official representative from New Zealand at Singapore was not considered necessary by the Minister, who. answering • question, said that the British Government kept very closely in touch win* the Australian and New Zealand Governments. .t. Asked if he held any views on, to* desirability of closer consultation. » matters of domestic and foreign im*rest between Australia and New zea land. Mr Duff Cooper said that as » as he knew the two Governments kw in close touch with each other. . Mr Duff Cooper was unable to how long his mission to the Par . would occupy him. He said he Wffflying straight back to Singapore. Jji ; would await instructions from the urn* ish Government there.