AUSTRALIA ALERT

Evening Star, Issue 23553, 17 April 1940, Page 8

AUSTRALIA ALERT

WATCHING DUTCH EAST INDIES POSITION EFFECT OF POSSIBLE INVASION OF HOLLAND CANBERRA, April 16. (Received April 17, at 12.50 p.m.) The effect, that the invasion of Holland might have on the situation in the Pacific was discussed by the Federal Cabinet in its relation to Australia’s war programme. Mr Menzies said Cabinet had touched on the question of the East Indies and was watching events closely. The executive of the Federal Parliamentary Labour Party discussed the same subject, and it is understood that it has virtually agreed to submit to the party a proposal that, in the event of a German invasion of Holland, Australia should, if necessary, give active military help to the Dutch East Indies. JAPANS POLICY SURVEY BY FOREIGN MINISTER [Per United Press Association.] WELLINGTON, April 17. The Acting Consul for Japan, Mr N. Nakafuji, has received the following cable from the Japanese Foreign Minister:— ' “ On being questioned by newspapermen concerning; Japan’s position regarding the possible involvement of the Netherlands in the European war and its repercussions in the Netherlands East Indies, the Foreign Minister, Mr H. Arita, replied as follows:— ‘ With the South Seas regions, especially, the Netherlands East Indies, Japan is economically bound by the intimate relationship of . mutuality in ministering to one another’s need. Similarly the countries of East Asia close economic relations with these regions—that is to say, Japan, these countries, and these regions together are contributing to the prosperity of East Asia through mutual aid and interdepen- “ Should the hostilities in Europe be extended to the Netherlands and produce repercussions, as you say, in the Netherlands East Indies, - it would not only interfere with the maintenance and furtherance of the abovemeirtioned relations of economic interdependence and of co-existence and co-prosperity, but also give rise to an undesirable situation from the standpoint of peace and the stability of East Asia. In view of these considerations the Japanese Government cannot but be deeply-con-cerned over any development accompanying the aggravation of the war in Europe that may affect the status quo of the Netherlands Bast Indies.”. HELPING EXPORT TRADE RESTRICTION ON HOME CONSUMPTION (British Official Wireless.) RUGBY, April 16. (Received April 17, at 11.45 a.m.) In order to free production capacity, man power,, and raw materials for the export trade by restriction, of home consumption, the Board of Trade made an order to-day restricting to 75 per cent, of the pre-war quantity supplies to home retailers of cotton and rayon piece goods. Restriction to 25 per cent, will also be applicable to linen goods.