NORTH OF AUSTRALIA

Grey River Argus, 2 May 1942, Page 5

NORTH OF AUSTRALIA

LARGE REINFORCEMENTS Says General Blarney allied CONFIDENCE growing. [Aust.. & NZ. CabM A«n.) (Rec. 12.47.) CANBERRA, May 1“The enemy is now very defrnitely reinforcing his position in the north of Australia. There is increased activity in the Por Darwin and Port Moresby areas. This means that Japan has some In W emphasising Australia’s new preparedness, Sir Thos. Blarney, Commander of the Allied Lan Forces of the South-west made the above statement to fifty American, British and Australian press correspondents at the AUica Headquarters to-day. General Blarney continued. 7 am not going to forecast what the X plan may be. It may be an attempt to seize our outposts, or it may be an attempt to cut our supply line to America. . “Our most important points are at least one thousand miles from the enemy’s. If a fight comes we shall give a good account of ourselves. We have strengthened our forces, and we are now in a better position to meet the Japanese than ever before. In fact, we can take a big strain. “The reorganisation of our army has given, us a cohesive plan, of action. The commanders of our forces are men ex-perienced in th , is war—competent and reasonably youthful. Moreover, there is a public feeling of reality which was not noticeable a few months ago. “Our land forces are determined to move into the enemy’s territory as soon as we are able to do so. This is the whole aim and objective of our present preparations. However, this will not be done until we are convinced of our capacity to carry it out successfully.” General Blarney described Darwin and Port Moresby as “areas of menace.” General Blarney said that the seizure of either place was not vita! to either side, at the moment. . It would, however, be of strategic importance to either side to hold these places as jumping-off points. General Blarney emphasised that supplies from overseas were coming forward regularly, rapidly, and well, and said that the time was not distant when it would take a very big expedition on the part of the enemy to make any impression on this continent as the base of our future operations.

CANBERRA, May 1.. Soldiers brought back to Australia pets which could introduce diseases such as hydrophobia, said the Minister of Health (Mr Holloway), in giving a warning that the practice simply could not be tolerated. The Health Department had to confiscate and destroy 30 dogs, 23 monkeys, three squirrels, one mangoose, and a rabbit.

It is expected that the Opposition challenge will be launched late tonight, probably as an amendment to Mr Curtin's formal motion of yesterday for the printing of a paper containing his statement on the international situation. It is expected to be in the form of a declaraion that the Defence Act provisions prohibiting militia service outside Australian territory, should be deleted. It is now reported that the originators of the challenge comprise the South Australian bloc anxious to depose Mr Fadden and reinstate .Mr Menzies as Leader of the Opposition. Mr Hughes is known to be opposed to the challenge which is expected to be defeated.