AUSTRALIA AND WAR

Evening Post, Volume CXXXV, Issue 138, 12 June 1943, Page 6

AUSTRALIA AND WAR

MR. HUGHES ON SITUATION

(Rec. 1.45 p.m.) SYDNEY, June 12. "Just how a danger that a fortnight ago was grave and imminent has passed away has not been explained," said the Leader of the United Australia Party, Mr. W. M. Hughes, in a statement supporting criticism by the Leader of the Federal Opposition, Mr. A. W. Fadden, of Mr. Curtin's declaration that Australia was now free from the threat of invasion. "It certainly does not arise out of any change in the military situation, for the latest statements from General Mac Arthurs 1 headquarters stress the fact that no part of the Japanese forces has been weakened.

"We may be sure that the Japanese are massing their forces for some definite purpose and that purpose is offensive. , „ __ , Both Mr. Fadden and Mr. Hughes are members of the Australian War Council, and Mr. Hughes added that, as a member of the Council, he knew of nothing to warrant Mr. Curtins optimistic outlook. These suggestions that less than their face value should be placed on the Prime Minister's statements are reported to be much resented in quarters close v) Mr. Curtin. It is pointed out that his statement, being the outcome of his meeting with General Mac Arthur, would contain nothing that ran counter to the general's view of the war. # . Publication of an over-optimistic view of the progress of the war in the Pacific could not be of political advantage to Mr. Curtin, since it would leave the Government at the mercy of events occurring before tiie elections. Further, his optimistic statement is seen as tending to increase the unpopularity of the wartime control and disciplinary measures for which Mr. Curtin must carry the political responsibility.,