CRITICISM OF AUSTRALIANS

Southland Times, Issue 24593, 15 November 1941, Page 7

CRITICISM OF AUSTRALIANS

OUTSPOKEN ATTACK BY GENERAL BLAMEY MELBOURNE, November 14. “I have had a look at the Australian way of life and now I want to get away from it. To speak candidly, it sickens me.” Lieutenant-General Sir Thomas Blarney, general officer commanding the Australian Imperial Force, used these words in another bitter attack on Australians’ apathy to the war. “Australians are living in a fool’s paradise,” he said. “Everything out here shows the spirit of carnival. When will Australians realize that we are right up against it? That we must fight or perish? A falling-off now of reinforcements for the Australian Imperial Force means that in the inevitable campaign next spring our Australian Imperial Force abroad might not be as effective as it could be. That is a very serious thing. “Australians seem to be ready to pay for the war, but not ready to fight. Men of the Australian Imperial Force abroad resent this sort of thing. They do not know how bad it is, but they are staggered at the strikes that take place and they feel keenly that fellows who ave getting three times the money and are taking no risks are being looked upon as wonderful heroes for making shells. There is an idea in Australia that if you make equipment you need not send away any men to fight. There is something wrong somewhere. When will Australia wake up?”