“SQUEALERS” CHIDED

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume 77, 10 August 1942, Page 4

“SQUEALERS” CHIDED

MR CURTIN SPEAKS PLAINLY HIGH C OMMA ND DLFLNDLD AUSTRALIAN OFFENSIVE TO COME Australia will not ask for more war equipment at the expense **f China, Ru sia a<ul the Middlv Ea*t. The Prime Minister. Mr Curtin, making this declaration, said Australia shared in common with other .Allied nations a shortage of tank', aeroplanes and ships. “W* ran t expect to he placed in a special ‘ancillary while those associated with us are having their territories ravaged.” He asked Au-lralia:. not to i>< j ‘'.squealers-." Australia \.n-; one oi the ballons from which eventually an Al I lied offensive would be launched, i ,c; «- I would be no lim t to the offensive An- ■ tralia would wage, except the limit imposed by the shortage of via. i materials. ! Mr Curtin defended the Hgh Com maud against charges of inaction. H«* revealed that two A.I.F divisions had returned from the Middle East. He said allocations to the South-West Pacific theatre of war were not as large as originally planned and he accepted full responsibility for that fact. Some equipment had not arrived because of shipping losses and other equipment j had been diverted to places where it ! was more urgently needed. “Shortly after Japan came into the ( war a plain and frank statement direct od to the United States was necessary.” I Mr Curtin said. He had made such a [statement, not only from the standpoint ■ of Australia’s own preservation but also to emphasise the importance of Australia as a bastion of democracy in the eastern war theatre. President Roo.sej veil and Mr Churchill had responded spontaneously and readily. “Are we now to cry aloud, engage in uninformed criticism and stir up a controversy among the Allies because it so happens that the enemy has stolen a march on us and thinks he can go where he likes and when he likes’.*” asked Mr Curtin. “The enemy had the initiative from the start because of long years of preparation but we are unconquerable. Britain cannot be defeated. The United States will stay with us to the end. Russia will never agree to a separate peace and China | will fight to the end. i “This does not mean it is not going Itobe a long and bloody struggle. It will be bul we will hold our trust while there is life in us. Our men are not ! inferior. It is fashionable to stunt [about the genius of Rommel But will : you have the complete efficiency of a ; German military machine at the price 1 the Germans pay for it? There are no i arguments in Germany about waistcoats. whether someone has been mis- | reported or not. or whether the military ! leadership is efficient I have never I failed to acknowledge that my primary responsibility as Prime Minister is the j safety of this country, but I also acknowledge Hint our responsibility is to j share in the risk of this total war.” J Referring to dislocation of normal Australian life caused by rationalisation 1 restrictions to meet the primary need i restrictions to meet the primary needs of war. Mr Curtin said: "Vested interests, whether of capitalism. the ; trades unions or churches, cannot sur--1 vi\*e if Japan wins. I am absolutely un- | moved by complaints from the civil or- ; der of unnecessary restrictions placed i upon it.”—P.A. Special Australian Coirespondent