Vision of Just and Strong Australia

Manawatu Times, Volume 68, Issue 59, 11 March 1943, Page 5

Vision of Just and Strong Australia

Must Maintain Close Ties With America (By Telegraph—Press Assn.—Copyright.) (Special Australian Correspondent.) SYDNEY, Mar. 9. It is time that a great deal more thought was given to the Australia of the future,” declares the Australian newspaper proprietor, Sir Keith Murdoch, in a clearsighted article to-day. He outlines the main problems which will bo shared by Australia and New Zealand after the war and offers some suggestions for meeting them. Principally, he vrges a policy of vigorous internal expansion coupled with the United {States. “A vision of a just, strong Australia, greatly loved, ample and geuial in life, is in the hearts of the gallant men who cleave the skies or seas or march against the country’s enemies,” he Writes. “They know that they fight for a national life of freedom and an individual life of freedom—that, if they fail, the red embrace of an inhumanly callous conqueror must follow. But they have something , more in their minds—they have hope, expectation, and faith in our good land. They hold ideals for their country and we must not disappoint them.” {Stressing the hazardous geographic position of Australia and New Zealand in relation to the Asiatic world, Sir Keith declares: “Least of all the nations can we afford to make the case and plenty which is every man’s right without making the toil of production, thrift, and contribution, which is every fit man’s responsibility. “All the men who fight know this. They know that we are fortunate to get a second chance to make this country great and that a strong realistic action must follow the war,” Sir Keith concludes. Sir Keith outlines three principles governing Australia’s place in the postwar world—the principles having ox actlv equal point for New Zealand. Firstly: The only answer to the claim of an aroused Asia is that Australia or part of her continent is a busy Australia of spreading industry, simple family life, a growing population and deep patriotism. Ten millions in ten years—and good ones. Secondly: While taking a new part in tne affairs of the British Empire, Australia will need an American alliance. She must maintain America’s binding interest in • the Southwest Pacific. Thirdly: Australia must find a basis of good neighbourliness with Asia based on cultural exchanges, flowing trade and mutual recognition of the differing economic systems and living conditions. “There is no question of Australia leaving, the British Empire. By every tie of sentiment, appreciation and selfinterest we are called not only to be of it but to take part in the management and defence of those parts around us. But there is one unchallengeable fact about Australia: that is that its securities and its progress are urgent matters beyond the strength of its own inhabitants and what Britain can in its future strategical position afford. “America’s permanent interests in 1 Australasia must be won. Wo should declare that any American who fought in these parts should be assured of Australian citizenship after the war with the same right as those of our own sons. In all our planning we should aim at America joining in the use and control of those islands and strategical parts of the Asiatic mainland which must be held for the white man’s defence. Our Australian-Americau relations are not good enough. Large and strong action should be taken to put them right. ’ ’ Sir Keith Murdoch emphasised the “vital magnificence” of America’s attitude towards the South Pacific democracies (Australia and New Zealand).

He said: “It is said Australia is of great value to America as a base against the Japanese. That is only partly true. It may even be that involvement of a large Japanese army down here would have been preferred by American strategists, -while America and Britain were prepared to strike at long sea communications on either flank, but whatever can bo said about that aspect I am certain the main thought in America’s mind was to save Australia, and that the Administration which led the American nation into the distant and idealistic war felt our needs in its heart.”

tactics which destroyed the Japanese convoy were rehearsed by Allied planes on a derelict ship two days before the battle. During the battle, many Allied air formations made as many as four sorties a day and Mr. McDaniel quotes thoughtful officers as saying that the Allies in this theatre 4 4 are still operating on a dangerously narrow margin of safety.” The Allied air forces from the Darwin area did not take any part in the battle. They had to stand in readiness against a possible offensive move by the Japanese in the Arafusa Sea. During his tour of all Allied bases throughout the area, Mr. McDaniel said that it was evident that the commanders were carefully husbanding their ef fective combat strength. There has been no statement from an official military source of the threat of a Japanese invasion, but it is felt tha* the security of Australia and New Zealand, as well as that of Allied outpost bases, has not yet been definitely established. Military and political authorities here consider that the destruction of the Japanese convoy in the Bismarck Sea has been seriously misinterpreted by many war commentators both in Britain and America. To quote a high oflieer, who had a big part in organising the Allied air attacks: “It was a show which comes only once in a lifetime.” .