AUSTRALIA NOW SAFE

Grey River Argus, 11 June 1943, Page 5

AUSTRALIA NOW SAFE

From Invasion MR CURTIN’S OPINION (Rec. 11.30) CANBERRA, June 10. “I do not think that the enemy can now invade this country,” said the Prime Minister, Mr Curtin, in a statement following his conference with General MacArthur. Mr Curtin added: “We have proved that by the resources we have brought together, and with the command of the sea which has been established by the gallant United States Navy, by the decisive victories at Midway Islands and in the Solomon Islands.

“We are not, however, immune from marauding raids, which may cause damage and loss. I believe, however, that we can hold Australia as a base from which to launch limited and major offensives against Japan. “This conception must be the pattern to govern the nature and the extent of Australia’s war effort as part of the plan of 'the United Nations in the Pacific.” Mr Curtin said that, as in the case of Britain. Australia had had a close call: but the result of the battle of the Coral Sea and of the return of the A.1.F., would enable them to stop the Japanese advance in New Guinea just in time.