Lute News IF SUPREME TEST COMES

Dominion, Volume 34, Issue 125, 20 February 1941, Page 8

Lute News IF SUPREME TEST COMES

Australian Readiness INTERNAL RIVALRY UNWANTED

( Received Deb. 20, 12.-15 a.tn.J

MELBOURNE. I’eb. 19.

The Acting Prime .Minister, Mr. Hadden, in an address tonight said the Governments attitude was that it would lathci find later that it had taken unnecessary precautions than that it had been caught napping. No action would be taken by Australia and no word would be spoken to shatter the peace in the Pacific. "If war comes to our trout door it will not be by our choosing." he said. "It will be a war in which Australians will fight to the end to defend their country and their way of living. Let nobody think we arc helpless or unfitted for the supreme test. "As the events of lust week showed, the Ministers and the lenders of Parliamentary Labour are united in their recognition of the necessity lor Australia to remain alert. To carry out our programme it is fundamental that we must put aside petty jealousies and

political rivalries ami concentrate on winning the war on whatever front we have lo meet aggression. ’

Emphasising the rapid development of Australia’s war effort, Mr. Fadden said that it seemed that only among her own jteople was there serious criticism of the way Australia conducted the war from the home base. Australia had every reason to feel confidence in the future. The war was costing Australia three times per bead of population what the last war cost. ‘•Australians at home and abroad have made a magnificent, achievement, which thrills and amazes us at the seemingly impossible tilings done. M itb that strong foundation we may confidently attack the task of erecting a stout structure sufficient lo withstand the storms and strains of the critical days through which we must pass.”