NO BACK-DOOR ENTRY

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXXIII, 12 February 1941, Page 5

NO BACK-DOOR ENTRY

WATCH ON SINGAPORE VIEWS OF AUSTRALIAN LABOUR PARTY DEFENCE POLICY [U.P.A.-By Electric Telegraph-Copyright] SYDNEY, Uth February. Addressing an Australian Workers’ Union convention in Sydney to-day, the Federal Labour leader, Mr Curtin, emphasised the serious-

ness of the war situation. He said the Australian Labour Party accepted fully complete obligation to ensure the maximum capacity of its people and the country to resist invasion or attack. “The Labour Party is not asking for the recall of any of our men from abroad,” Mr Curtin continued, “but we • are asking, in view of what the next few weeks may bring forth, that the paramount principle in the reorientation of the Australian military, naval and air forces shall be the defence pf this part of the Empire. The fact that Britain is so sorely beset involves reconsideration of the whole strategy for the defence of the British Commonwealth of Nations. Above all, we must ensure that land forces are available sufficient to prevent a back-door entrance to Singapore.” Mr Curtin then appealed for fuller recognition of the part the workers were playing. He said that while he had not sought to take advantage of the war to seek a new social order, he held strongly that employers must not be allowed to take advantage of the war to perpetuate the existing social ; order. Wages were more important I than dividends. Vested interests would have to become the handmaiden of the future happiness and welfare of the whole Australian people. The wealthy classes could afford to give more of their substance.