Menzies, Mindful Of Difficulties, Is Optimistic

Northern Advocate, 23 May 1941, Page 6

Menzies, Mindful Of Difficulties, Is Optimistic

[Special to “Northern Advocate”] AUCKLAND, This Day. “During the last four months I have become a sort of traveller on the face of the earth,” said the Prime Minister of Australia (Mr. Menzies), in an interview. He had covered over 40,000 miles, and had not got much rest, he said. He had made an intolerable number of speeches, and his address at the State dinner last night was his 83rd of the tour. Stimulated by Experiences “I am a very weary man, and 1 would have been much more weary it I had not been stimulated by the many great and stirring things I have seen during the last four months,” he said.

He was sorry to have missed seeing the Prime Minister of New Zealand. “He is an old and valued friend of mine,” said Mr. Menzies. “I understand lie has been getting into a little trouble in the Middle East.” Spirit of Britain Triumphs

Mr. Menzies said that one of his most vivid impressions was the spirit displayed by the people of Britain, particularly the women. Much had been written and spoken concerning the way they stood up to the constant bombings. This was not exaggerated. It was understated. No words could describe the amazing fortitude of these people.

In his tours over the bombed areas and during his visits to factories in the industrial areas, he never came across a person who wanted an early peace or a compromise.

Admitting that air raids did not constitute a pleasant experience, he said that in addition to the raid he had experienced in London, he had been in one at Plymouth. They were frightful while in operation, but when the “all clear” was sounded, people soon recovered.

In spite of the constant bombing, war production was greater than when the air attacks commenced. He had found no sign of air neurosis.

London Stands Firm

The people grew accustomed to the danger from the air. It would take many years to wipe out London at the present rate of progress, Mr. Menzies said. Daylight bombing had ceased since the R.A.F. had knocked it out last year, and each month night bombing was becoming less profitable to the Germans. It would reach a point at which the ratio of less would make it not worth while.

“On the whole, I do not expect that blitzing in England will maintain its present volume,” he said. “Tremendous strides had been made in night-fighting. He thought the new heavy bombers were superior to any heavy bombers that Germany possessed, as far as range and bombcarrying capacity tvere concerned. The new fighters had incredible speed. He had seen some of them on their trials.

Britain had no inferiority in aircraft in point of quality. The only inferiority was in numerical strength, and that inferiority, with American aid, was being overcome as far as we were led to believe. Battle of Atlantic

“In the Battle of the Atlantic, Britain was concentrating terrific energy in a variety of directions. “I am an optimist on this subject,” said Mr. Menzies. “At the same time, I do not underestimate the difficulties. I regard the American naval patrols as of first-rate importance.”

He was unable to comment on what had already been accomplished in this direction as the patrols had only been active a short time before he left England. Remarkable Figures

In reply to a question, Mr. Menzies said that Mr. Churchill was standing up to his burden and responsibilities with vigour and was apparently less tired than when he had met him years ago.

President Roosevelt was in bed with a bronchial affection when he had visited him, but nevertheless was a miracle of vigour. Their conversation had been one of the most stimulating interviews of his whole tour.