WAR SITUATION

Grey River Argus, 12 February 1941, Page 4

WAR SITUATION

Singapore Menaced AUSTRALIAN LABOUR LEADER’S WARNING. [Aus. & N.Z. Cable Assn.l (Recd. February 11, 11.25 p.m.) SYDNEY, February 11. Addressing the Australian Workers’ Union Convention at Sydney to-day, the Federal Labour Leader (Mr J. Curtin, M.H.R.,) emphasised the seriousness of the war situation. Mr Curtin said that the Australian Labour Party accepted, fully, the complete obligation to ensure that the maximum capacity of its people and of the country should be used to resist invasion or attack.”

“The Labour Party is not asking for the recall of any of our men from abroad,” he said, “but we are asking in view of what the next few weeks may bring forth, that the paramount principle in the reorientation of the Australian M’ilitary, Naval and Air Forces, shall be the defence of this jiart of the Empire.

“The fact that Britain is so sorely beset involves the reconsideration of the whole strategy for the defence of the British Commonwealth of Nations. Above all, we must ensure that land forces are available sufficient to prevent a back-door entrance into Singapore.” Mr Curtin then appealed for a fuller recognition of the part that the workers are playing. He said that, while he had not sought to take any advantage of the war to seek for a new social order, he held, strongly, that the employers must not be allowed to take advantage of this war to perpetuate the existing social order. Wages, he said, were more important than dividends. Vested interests would have to become the handmaiden of the future happiness and welfare of the whole Australian people. The wealthy classes could afford to give more of their substance. If they did not do so, it would not be their choice when it was all over.” Japan’s Budget RECORD GRANT. (Received February 11, 11.50 p.m J TOKIO, February 11. The Japanese Cabinet has submitted to the Diet general accounts and supplementary budget estimates for 1,130 million yen, which, with the basic estimates, means a new high giand total ol 12,870 million yen in the 1941-42 budget, as compared Avith 11,630 millions in 1940-41