NO SCAPEGOATS

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 20861, 13 August 1942, Page 3

NO SCAPEGOATS

MILITARY CHIEFS MR. CURTIN’S STAND BICKERING DEPLORED (By Telegraph—Press Assn.—Copyright.) (10.30 a.m.) MELBOURNE, Aug. 13. As long as he remained head of the Government he would not permit military leaders to be made scapegoats for national deficiencies, declared the Prime Minister, Mr. J. Curtin, speaking at a function commemorating the hundredth anniversary of the city of Melbourne. There must be no criticisms which would militate against the development of a spirit of mutual aid among the Allies. Solidarity among the Allies was essential to make the most of the common pool of resources. That solidarity would not be aided by the creation of confusions and misunderstandings. The Governments of Britain, the United States, Russia and China fully understood the position of Australia, just as Australia understood jtheir position. “We don’t hear Mr. Winston Churchill and President Roosevelt criticising each other, nor do you hear me criticising Mr. Churchill or Mr. Churchill criticising me. In military operations, I believe the best counsel resides in those who have professional training to give it. The Government accepts full political responsibility for the decision of the High Command. After- making its plans the High Command confers with the Government on it and then they act together.”