DISPOSITIONS IN PACIFIC

Evening Star, Issue 25170, 9 May 1944, Page 5

DISPOSITIONS IN PACIFIC

AUSTRALIA'S CASE ENDORSED (Rec. 11 a.m.) LONDON, May b. At least one of the two objectives Mr Curtin set himself during the current meetings of the Empire Prime Ministers appears to have been achieved with the acceptance by Britain and the other dominions of Australia's case for such a disposition of United Nations' forces in the Pacific theatre as will reconcile the increasing demands on Australian man power for food production with the maintenance of a lively war effort agaiust Japan. The Australian Associated Press learns that Mr Curtin is extremely heartened by the reception accorded his views on the far eastern war policy which will now be the subject of a series of conferences between General Sir Thomas Blarney and British military leaders. Mr Curtin's second objective—tbo establishment of an Empire secretariat —which has already been the subject of an informal exchange of views, is likely to come up for formal consideration this week after the Prime Ministers dispose of the economic questions to which they are now giving attention. The rate of progress maintained last week was so satisfactory that.the conference time-table is now likely to be eased up with one sitting instead of two on some days, which will enable the Prime Ministers to visit dominion Air Force squadrons and possibly also invasion troops.