ALLEGED BREACH OF PACT

Press, Volume LXXXI, Issue 24640, 9 August 1945, Page 5

ALLEGED BREACH OF PACT

CHIFLEY REPLIES TO DUTCH CLAIM TRAINING OF TROOPS IN AUSTRALIA (Rec. 7 p.m.) PERTH, Aug..B. “It is highly improper for any Dutch official to charge the Federal Government with a breach of faith regarding the proposed establishment in Australia of a Netherlands armed force,” said the Australian Prime Minister (Mr J. B. Chifley). He was referring to allegations that his Government had broken an agreement that 30,000 Dutch troops should be accommodated, equipped and trained in Western Australia.

Mr Chifley said his Government did not enter into any final commitment. It stated that the proposal to base 30,000 troops on Australia commended itself in principle, but the crux of the matter was Australia’s capacity to do so in the light of existing and prospective commitments. “Our limited manpower resources have to maintain our fighting effort, help to meet the needs of the British., Pacific Fleet and the United States Forces, provide for the essential needs of the civilian population, supply food for Britain, and produce goods for export.” said Mr Chifley. “The Advisory War Council and the Government are agreed ' thal it is neither logical nor equitable for Australia to reduce her own fighting effort to carry out imperative adjustments in civil economy, and at the same time to accept additional commitments which offset the purpose for which reductions in the Australian forces are’ being made.”