Greymouth Evening Star. WEDNESDAY, MAY 20, 1942. AUSTRALIA FAIR?

Greymouth Evening Star, 20 May 1942, Page 4

Greymouth Evening Star. WEDNESDAY, MAY 20, 1942. AUSTRALIA FAIR?

Curtin, the Australian Prime Minister, has tremendous responsibilities and is not in the best of health, and there will be general disposition to make allowances for him under the circumstances. However, it appears foolish of him to continue what approaches “nagging” of the U.S.A, authorities and policy, because the latter is not altogether to his liking. When the Japanese menace to the Commonwealth first became serious, Federal j Ministers and the Press, displayed conI siderable nervousness, their utterances being strangely at variance with the | often-claimed “casnalness” of the Australian character. Squeals and appeals | were widespread, and cries of “betrayal” were raised against both Britain and the i U.S.A. Britain was Ihe first “villain of the piece,” but later protests were mainly addressed to Washington, where Dr. Evatt was hurriedly despatched to state the case for Australia. Without obtaining all he asked, he succeeded in emphasising the urgency of the position, and from then on. the U.S.A, aid in men and material has poured in. Dr. Evatt is now in Britain, I where he has interviewed Mr. Churchill and others in high places, and is reI ported to have been “brutally frank.” Xo question arises that Britain is desirous of i doing the utmost Jo safeguard Australia. 1 but the latter is not flu l only area to be considered. The United Nations have entrusted Mr. Roosevelt and Mr. Churchill with tin 1 responsibility of planning the strategy and supplies for the conduct of the war as a whole, and it must be assumed that these two leaders tire endeavouring to be. fair to all the rival clairn- ( ants for aid. Each 1 hrcalcoed country is ' naturally most concerned about its own position, but the leaders have to take wide views. Mr. Roosevelt found it desirable at the recent meeting of the Pacific Council to warn Allied representatives of the danger of “loose talk.” Mr. Curtin, who was not referred to specifically, made a rejoinder, and continued the discussion in his weekend speech at Sydney. None really questions the importance of holding Australia, and few outside Australia. —and perhaps not many inside, —expect the Japanese to be able to take possession. What useful object is there served by harping on this string? U.S.A, has given- ample proofs of the resolve to assist the Australians. The appointment of General MacArthur in itself is significant of U.S.A’s resolution, and it is certain that Washington would not have dispatched large forces to the Commonwealth had U.S.A, not realised the importance of Australia as a base, ill may be true that -Washington does not •share the opinion of Mr. Curtin that if 'Australia were lost, the U.S.A, would soon be similarly conquered. Similarly, Russia may wonder if Australia’s desire to have closer relations with the Soviet, is chiefly inspired by the hope that this will induce Russia to declare war on Japan. Both Mr. Curtin and Dr. Evatt are protesting too much. Their requests have been met in generous fashion, and more is being done in this direction as circumstances permit. The Australian people are accustomed to be dealt out with superlatives about themselves and their doings, but introspection might create some humility. Happenings in the Commonwealth, of late, are not such as to increase national pride, and until their own -war-efforts approach nearer perfection, Australian right to criticise others is not apparent.