BOMBERS FROM AUSTRALIA

Press, Volume LXXXVI, Issue 26151, 29 June 1950, Page 5

BOMBERS FROM AUSTRALIA

SQUADRON TO GO TO SINGAPORE ANNOUNCEMENT BY MR MENZIES CANBERRA, June 28. After a late meeting of Cabinet, the Prime Minister (Mr Menzies) announced that after discussions with the British Government, Australia would send a squadron of heavy bombers to Singapore. Mr Menzies added: "Events in Asia are evidence of Communist aggression. The preservation of British authority in Malaya is vital to Australia’s ■ security. We cannot regard the task 1 in that country as solely one for the United Kingdom, nor would the Australian people desire us to. "It must be made clear to Communist movements everywhere that if they promote aggressive campaigns for the acquisition of new territory they will find no division among the British countries of the world, who know that all their vital interests are common and will, therefore, at all times, be prepared to help each other by such means as lie within their capacity.” Referring to Korea. Mr Menzies said: "It is quite clear that, although the invading forces are those of the North Korean Government, they represent Communist expansion. It. therefore, seems to Cabinet that this attack is a Communist-inspired and directed move. The Korean incident cannot be looked at in isolation, nor can we in Australia regard it as remote from our own interests and safety.” “Rude Awakening” Mr Menzies continued: “If there are any or many Australians who have believed that Communism is a peaceful political movement, the attack uoon Korea will have rudely awakened them. There are other points of possible attack on. or off the coast of China. There is also, at this very moment, a Communist-led campaign in Indo-China.

“Much nearer home, there are the operations of the Communist guerrillas in Malava. who ere making it their business to render British control of Malaya difficult, and who. if they succeed, will make it impossible. “These operations may well be stimulated by events in Korea. The immediate problem of Korea must, if it is to be dealt with at all, be dealt with by the great Powers.

“But so far as Malaya is concerned, we feel that Australia has some canacPv to heln and. in her own interests. as well as those of the entire British Commonwealth, a duty to do whatever she can.”