NO CHANGE IN STATUS

Dominion, Volume 37, Issue 4, 30 September 1943, Page 5

NO CHANGE IN STATUS

MacArthur’s Command CANBERRA, September 28. “I am unaware of any change in the status or authority of the command of General MacArthur, and no change could be made without the Australian Government’s agreement.” This statement was made in the House of Representatives by the Prime Minister, Mr. Curtin. “The set-up in the South-west Pacific area and the boundaries of this region were the subject of agreement between Australia, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, the United States, and the Netherlands, and could not be varied without the consent of the parties to the agreement,” he said. . “The appointment of Admiral Mountbatten does not impinge in any way on General MacArthur’s command in the South-west Pacific, or subordinate the South-west Pacific to the South-east Asia command. . , “The eastern boundary of Admiral Mount-batten's command is the western boundary of General MacArthur s command. Admiral Mountbatten was appointed by Mr. Churchill and President Roosevelt. This is their right and privilege, as they are supplying the forces for the South-east Asia region. lhe closest co-operation exists in matters of higher policy between Mr. Churchill, President Roosevelt and the Australian Government and between General MacArthur and myself.”