UNITED EFFORT IN PACIFIC

Southland Times, Issue 25358, 9 May 1944, Page 5

UNITED EFFORT IN PACIFIC

Australian View

Accepted

(8.0.W.) RUGBY, May 7. The Prime Ministers’ Conference completely accepted the Australian view of the importance of a combined Allied military effort against Japan, said the Australian Prime Minister, Mr J. Curtin, when broadcasting from London. The Australian Government, while accepting the strategy of “Beat Hitler First,” pointed out that because that would mean a prolonged war in the Pacific, it was essential that a certain minimum effort be maintained in the Pacific so that the war there would not become a stalemate. General Sir Thomas Blarney and the Australian naval'and air representatives would discuss with the British Chiefs of Staff the technical aspects of the case with the object of devising a satisfactory procedure for further consideration by the Australian and British Governments. Pointing out that Australians had stood against the aggressor, Mr Curtin said: “What we did, we did for the British way of life. We did it, too, for the United Nations. We did it for civilization itself against a barbaric, ruthless atid fanatical enemy. No country—not even this gallant little island—faced a greater danger with less resources than did Australia.”

The threat to Australia had been removed by the gallantry of the Austra-: lian and American forces, the skill of their commanders, the aid given by the United States and the splendid effort of the Australian people themselves. Mr Curtin, after dealing with the way in which Australia was working to supply the forces in the Pacific as well as Britain, said: “The war against Japan involves more than Australia. The interests at stake concern the whole British ■Commonwealth and the whole of the democratic nations throughout the world.”