No Stage Fright, But Hard Work In Australia

Northern Advocate, 17 March 1941, Page 8

No Stage Fright, But Hard Work In Australia

“One would think from the cables that there is real stage-fright in Aus-ti-alia, but that is not so,” declared Sir Charles Norwood, of Wellington, on Saturday when speaking of his experiences during a recent visit to the Commonwealth and referring to the Ministerial statements on Pacific affairs.

His impression was rather that the people of Australia and the authorities were summing up the real position of Japan with due regard to her proper place in the Pacific. It was realised that Japan’s need for direct association and economic co-operation with her neighbours was so pressing that she was unlikely to become a real menace to Australia.

“While this may be the opinion of the man in the street,” Sir Charles went on, “those responsible for the nation’s security could not afford to ignore or even take lightly the statements issued by Japan’s official spokesmen. Australia’s leaders could not assume that the Japanese statements were purely propaganda; they could not afford to take the personal view. That is why Mr. Fadden’s warning was absolutely necessary, even as a reminder to his own people in the Commonwealth. “Furthermore, the fact that even while this warning was being issued, a huge Australian army was being transported to Singapore has left no doubt that Australia is taking no risks which might in any way jeopardise her security or her position in the Pacific.” Active War Effort. Sir Charles Norwood returns profoundly impressed by the determination with which Australia is pushing forward her war effort and the manner in which she is co-operating with New Zealand in these undertakings. There was a great measure of cooperation between Australia and New Zealand, he said, and a keen desire on the part of the industrial leaders to see that the economic resources of New Zealand should be used as wisely and economically as possible, in conjunction with those of Australia for the prosecution of the Empire’s struggle. “I must take my hat off to the team of men who, under the Government, are carrying out arrangements for Australia’s war effort,” he said. “After my conversations with members of the British Munitions Commission on their return from the Empire Conference at Delhi, I am convinced that they are doing a great job of work.” Care of Soldiers. Among the lasting impressions of Australia in the mind of Sir Charles is that of a visit to the Anzac Buffet, a huge structure erected in the Sydney Domain as the result of public subscription, from which 2000 meals are served every day to soldiers, who are also catered for in regard to entertainments and other social facilities. By a coincidence, on the day on which Sir Charles paid his visit the buffet was in charge of New Zealand women. The institution required a staff of about 60, all of whom were volunteers, and each group spent one day each | month there, doing everything from the cooking of the meals to the washing up of the dishes. ■ f Supplies for this gigantic scheme were secured largely from donations, and so complete was the organisation that the meals had so far cost 1/8 each. Well-known Sydney business men and women were behind the movement, and among its three chief women executives were two prominent Australian golfers, who naively stated that their golf has been forgotten “for the duration” as there is a much more important job to do.