DEFENCE OF THE PACIFIC

Otago Daily Times, Issue 24803, 31 December 1941, Page 5

DEFENCE OF THE PACIFIC

AUSTRALIA’S IMPORTANT ROLE (Rec. 0.30 a.m.) SYDNEY, Dec. 30. A message of great importance as affecting the security of Australia was received by the Prime Minister, Mr Curtin, to-day from. Mr Churchill. As a result Mr Curtin was able to make a favourable report to the War Cabinet this afternoon. The message indicates that Mr Churchill, and President Roosevelt have now decided on definite measures for the defence of British and American interests in the Pacific. Cabinet Ministers are gratir fled at this important turn of events, which they attribute largely to Mr Curtin’s intervention at the week-end, when he argued bluntly that the United States must be the keystone of Pacific strategy. A Government spokesman said the position had greatly improved strategically since Saturday. Details of the plan cannot be revealed, but it can be said that it is heartening. At the same time the Government has not o lost sight of the possibility of bombing raids on Australia, and insists that the public must be prepared to meet them. The Melbourne correspondent of the Sun states that the plan will improve enormously Australia’s defensive capacity and the Allied striking force against the Japanese. According to Federal Ministers, greater American aid for Australia will be forthcoming. Ministers are convinced that Mr Curtin’s blunt and direct presentation of Australia’s case has been a powerful factor in bringing about the latest decisions for the defence of the Pacific, Australia, and New Zealand.