AUSTRALIA’S DANGER

Greymouth Evening Star, 7 March 1942, Page 5

AUSTRALIA’S DANGER

ATTACK WITHIN WEEKS MAJ.-GEN. BENNETT’S WARNING LONDON, March 6. “At the risk of being called a scaremonger, I say that I think a Japanese attack on Australia is coming soon,” said Major-General Gordon Bennett, who commanded the A.I.F. in Malaya, at Sydney to-day. “I think it is not a matter of months, but weeks.” He added: “It is out duty to tackle our problems feverishly! We must act like lightning—smash into it.” Maj. Gen. Bennett, who is most familiar with the Japanese tactics, has given the Australian Government valuable information. He said that the enemy was using exactly the same methods in Java as he had employed in Malaya. “These methods, of course, were taken from their German masters, who used them in the war on Holland, Belgium, and Norway,” continued Maj. Gen. Bennett. “We are bound to assume that the Japanese will employ them in the attack on Australia.” . He said it was the plain duty of Australians to take action to meet that threat. He had no doubt they would destroy any Japanese force that attempted to land. It was announced by the Prime Mmiester (Mr. Curtin) to-day that all men under the age of 60 are to be liable for service. The call-up is for labour battalions, and io make workers liable to military discipline. ARRANGEMENTS WITH N.Z.

(Rec. 10 a.m.) CANBERRA, March 7. Consultations between the representatives of the Australian and New Zealand Governments concluded at Canberra, to-day. Mr. Curtin issued a statement that he was greatly impressed by the strength of the delegation and was convinced the discussions had been of great advantage to both Dominions. He could feel assured they were one people, with one interest, in what was a common problem. Mr. Sullivan said he would return to New Zealand completely satisfied with the talks. “There has been absolute unanimity of opinion in matters of strategy and supply. I am definitely happy about the outcome of the talks, which are the most important ever to take place between the sister Dominions.”

WOMEN’S EXPENDITURE. CANBERRA, March 6. An orgy of buying by women, who thronged city shops to buy Winter furs, expensive frocks, and other luxuries was condemned by the Prime Minister of Australia (Mr. Curtin) today. “I put their action in the same category as excessive drinking,” hesaid.° “Its evil effect on the community is most obvious. It amounts to luxury and selfishness for the favoured few. It is also evidence of misbegotten wealth and faulty methods of distribution. Usually the women who wear these expensive things are not half as good-looking as those who cannot afford them.” Mr. Curtin added that he could not imagine how these luxury goods rU become available. Their production and distribution would be drastically curtailed when the Government s plans for the war organisatm of industry were in full operation.