AUSTRALIA’S WAR DANGER

Dominion, Volume 34, Issue 259, 29 July 1941, Page 7

AUSTRALIA’S WAR DANGER

Warning By Menzies CLAIM OF TRAITORS IN INDUSTRY ( (By Telegraph.—Press Assn.—Copyright.) (Received July 28, 7 p.m.) SYDNEY, July 27. In an attack on industrial stoppages, the Prime Minister, Mr. Menzies, in Melbourne today said: “Men who create dissension or disorder and men who refuse to take industrial disputes to the tribunals are traitors.” Mr. Menzies added that events in the last 24 hours clearly underlined that Australia’s war danger was at least as great as that of any part of the British Empire. In spite of tire great things that had been done in the war effort in Australia, he said, there were still too many who thought their best contribution to winning the war was to create dissension and disorder. Japanese Position. “Australians will not run away from their difficulties or fail to defend those places and zones upon which their free future defends,” said Mr. Menzies in a statement on the Japanese position. Australia, Mr. Menzies added, ha'd always stood, and still stood, for peace in the Pacific. “But the presence of our troops in Malaya, and the vast preparation we have been making for home defence, and in munitions production, are all an earnest example of the resolute spirit which exists in the Australian people,” he continued, “It has always been Australia’s earnest desire that the status quo in the Far East should remain unaffected by th European war. At no stage had Australia had any designs against Japan or Japan’s legitimate interests. Australia stands firmly side by side with the other countries of the British Empire.” He was happy to think, he added, that in the steps that had been taken Australia had also been able to find herself side by side with the United States. \ Officers, non-commissioned officers and key administrators totalling about twenty-five per cent, of the Australian militia strength are to be called up for full-time service for the duration of the war. This is a feature of the drastic alterations of the Australian militia training system approved by the Minister of the Army and the War Cabinet. The estimated cost is about £2,000.000. Tire War Cabinet today decided that Commonwealth public servants who are due to retire at the age of 65 will be permitted to continue their employment for the duration of the war. Election Likelihood. The probability of a Federal election is being prominently mentioned by political observers. The United Australia Party has been preparing for an election for some weeks. Mr. Menzies attributes most of his troubles to the lack of a working majority and the consequent adoption of a policy of compromise. Therefore he may appeal to the electors to give him either a decisive victory or a decisive defeat. It is known that if an election is inevitable, the Labour Leader, Mr. Curtin, is anxious to stage it on the Budget, but it is unlikely’ that Mr. Menzies will allow the Labour Party to choose the background. He is likely to seek an election on the industrial issue. Mr. Menzies also believes that, in an election, he would get rid of the threat to his leadership within his party, as at least two of his critics hold doubtful seats.