AUSTRALIA'S WAR PLANS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVIII, Issue 23994, 18 June 1941, Page 6

AUSTRALIA'S WAR PLANS

In his broadcast speech last night, outlining an extended and intensified war policy for Australia, the Federal Prime Minister, Mr. Menzies, struck the. genuine note of national leadership and inspiration. It was a speech of immense practical significance, for it was concerned not with a survey of what has been done or what might be done in comparison with past achievements or activities elsewhere, but with the exertion of a maximum effort. "The least we can be satisfied with is our best." On this basis Mr. Menzies puts forward his "prospectus of an unlimited war effort" ; to this end he insists that all obstacles must be swept out of the way. An extension of recruiting, with an overhaul of the present schedule of reserved occupations; increased employment of women, both in war

services and in industry; an expansion of the munitions industry, coupled with a drastic review of production for civilian purposes ; the organisation of shipping, road and rail transport in accordance with war needs; an insistence on production uninterrupted by labour disputes —these are only a few of the steps proposed. The new policy, Mi. Menzies admits, will involve saciifices, but lie has asked for ft compie to diversion ot Austrnlin s encigies to the business of war, not merely for the grafting of some additional effort on to civil life. It. is a stupendous programme f f >r a country which is still politically divided, but it is no more stupendous than the programme which Britain, politically united, has not shrunk from undeitaking. Resolute minds and willing hands are needed for the massive tasks ahead, and Mr. Menzies' courageous outline of future policy could well be accepted on this side of the Tasman as the marching orders which New Zealand so sadly lacks.