AUSTRALIAN DEMAND

Southland Times, Issue 24654, 28 January 1942, Page 5

AUSTRALIAN DEMAND

VOICE IN-!WAR STRATEGY

BRITISH PRESS CRITICISM

(Rec. 8 p.m.) LONDON, Jan. 27. A note of criticism of Australia’s demand for action m the Pacific and representation on the Imperial War Cabinet has become apparent in the British Press. The Manchester Guardian said: “Australia is not making things easy for us. It is simple for Australia to make a demand for representation on the War Cabinet, but none of the arguments used touches the point that the other Dominions are not of the same mind. “Everyone in Britain is anxious that the Dominions shall enjoy the fullest confidence and have a real voice in everything touching their interests, but it is hardly reasonable to expect tnat Australia should receive a status in

the War Cabinet that the other Dominions do not receive, or do not want to receive, There must be other practicable means which can be adopted with infinitely less trouble and.with greater Daily Telegraph says that two Australian Ministers, Mr J* A. Beasley and Dr H. V. Evatt have “strangely misrepresented the Pacific situation and adds: “The establishment of Singapore as a naval base is due to the British perception of its value to the Empire. For its defence the British Government has been sending, and will send, all the tonnage that can be found. This, not unwillingness to despatch munitions, is the limiting factor of aid to Singapore.” A NATION’S RIGHT

“No single nation can afford to risk its future on the inafallibility of one man,” said the Australian Prime Minister Mr J. Curtin, in an Anniversary Day talk. He added: “Nor can any nation afford to submerge its right of speaking for itself because of the assumed omniscience of another. We have said Australia’s voice shall not only be an effective one but that it shall be heard in the proper place. “We have made it clear that the Government considered its first duty to tho people was that Australia should have its say in what, after all, is the shaping of her destiny.” Mr Curtin added that negotiations were proceeding which would soon result in Australia’s voice playing an effective part in Pacific strategy In close collaboration with General Sir Archibald Wavell. Mr Curtin again appealed to the people of the Commonwealth to co-operate in the Government’s total war effort. The choice for all he said was to make some sacrifice or to become a complete sacrifice to the enemy. People who stopped to argue with the Government would not be able to argue with the Japanese. Mr Curtin also affirmed that the direction of this war was not one man’s job, no matter how brilliant his personal gifts. z

STATEMENTS DENIED A denial of statements by the 8.8. C. and a section of the London Press that he was taking a holiday in Perth was made by Mr Curtin, who disclosed that his visit followed urgent communications from the Admiralty. “Admiralty signals to Australia led to the Chief of the Commonwealth Naval Staff, Sir Alexander Royle, requesting me to forward a highly confidential message to the Premier of Western Australia,” said Mr Curtin. “Propaganda, no matter where it comes from, does not influence my duty or my judgment in the performance of that duty. What I am doing in Perth is imperative work associated with my office. “The 8.8. C. is always too garrulous and frequently very ignorant. Its presumption in broadcasting my whereabouts while I am engaged in essential national work is no service to security.”

Ministerial circles in Australia also strongly object to the 8.8. C. referring to Mr Forde as Acting Premier instead of Deputy Prime Minister. Official protests will certainly be made to the British Minister of Information, Mr Brendan Bracken.