AUSTRALIA'S WAR POSITION

Press, Volume LXXIX, Issue 23971, 11 June 1943, Page 5

AUSTRALIA'S WAR POSITION

Invasion Now Held Unlikely CONFERENCE WITH MACARTHUR (N.Z. Press Association—Copyright) (Rec. 1 a.rty) CANBERRA, June 10. “I do not think the enemy can now invade this country,” said the Prime Minister of Australia (Mr J. Curtin) in a statement following a conference with General Mac Arthur. Mr Curtin added "We have proved that by the resources we have, together with the command of the sea established by the gallant United States Navy by its decisive victories at Midway Island and in the Solomons. "We are not, however, immune from marauding raids which may cause damage and loss. I believe, however, that we can hold Australia as a base from which to launch limited and major offensives against Japan. This conception must be the pattern to govern the nature and extent of Australia’s war effort as part of the plan of the United Nations in the Pacific.” Mr Curtin said that, qs in the case of Britain, Australia had had a close call, but the - result of the battle of the Coral sea and the return of the A.I.F. had enabled them to stop the Japanese advance in New Guinea just in time.

Mr Curtin said that the holding war imposed on Australia in circumstances of great difficulty was an obligation under global strategy which had now been discharged. General Mac Arthur flew to Sydney on Monday to discuss war plans with Mr Curtin. They conferred for four hours on details of strategy marking the new phase of the war against Japan. Although no official statement has been released, it is known that certain decisions were made. After the conference Mr Curtin appeared more buoyant and optimistic than at any time since the beginning of the Pacific war. General Mac Arthur arrived on an aerodrome near Sydney on Monday. He was dressed informally, wearing a leather flying jacket over a khaki shirt, and he looked the picture of health. He was met by Mr Curtin. After the conference General MacArthur gave no indication of the nature of the discussions. Later he and Mr Curtin were the guests of the Gover-nor-General (Lord Cowrie) at Admiralty House.