ON AUSTRALIAN SOIL

Grey River Argus, 19 March 1942, Page 5

ON AUSTRALIAN SOIL

Extensive Fighting EXPECTED BY GOVERNMENT. CANBERRA, March 17. . The Commonwealth Government expects fighting on an extensive scale to take place on Australian soil. Hon. F. M. Forde, the Army Minister, said that this was th e considered opinion of the Government. The Government had pledged its word, in no circumstances, would the nation yield to the Japanese. General MacArthur could, he added, rely on the utmost loyalty of the Australian people. The Commonwealth would do everything possible to strengthen him in the tremendous responsibility that he had underThe Navy Minister, Hon. Mr. Makin. described General' MacArthur's appointment as “a magnificent gesture by the American Government, quite apart from great help which the United States is giving in other respects. CANBERRA, March 18.

Hon, F. M. Forde, Army Minister, stated that Allied troops who escaped to Australia from the northerntheatres of war, are being used m the Australian Army. Some are allotted temporarily io the militia. Dutch troops reaching Australia from the Indies are being reorganised under their own commanders to take a place in the field beside the Australians. He added: “We are confident. these men, with actual experience of fighting the Japanese, will prove a valuable acceptance to our forces.”