WAR STRATEGY

Timaru Herald, Volume CLI, Issue 22183, 29 January 1942, Page 5

WAR STRATEGY

Imperial War Cabinet Claims Of Dominions By Telegraph—Press Association— Copyright RUGBY. Jan. 27. Dealing with the participation of the Dominions in the conduct of the war, Mr Churchill in his statement in the House of Commons, said: "We have always been ready to form an Imperial War Cabinet containing the Prime Ministers of the four Dominions. Whenever any of them come here they have taken seats at our table.” Then after referring to the valuable visits of Mr W. L. Mackenzie King, the Rt. Hon. P. Fraser, and Mr R. G. Menzies, and the mission of Sir Earle Page, he said: "The'Australian Government has now asked specifically that an accredited representative of the Commonwealth should have the right to be heard in the War Cabinet in the formulation and direction of policy. We have, of course, agreed to this: New Zealand has felt bound to ask for similar representations and the same facilities will, of course, be available for Canada and South Africa. The presence at the Cabinet table of Dominion representatives not empowered to take decisions, but only representatives of their Governments, evidently raises some serious problems, but none, I trust, which cannot be got over. Transport Problem “Our munitions output is gigantic and has for some time been very large indeed,” continued Mr Churchill. “It is going up by leaps and bounds in a most remarkable manner. In 1940 we produced more than double the munitions and equipment of the United States, which was arming heavily. In the last six months we have been producing more than twice as many and far more complicated guns every month as in the peak of the last war and the curve is rising. Tank production has doubled in the last six months. Small arms production is more than that of six months ago. “Nevertheless,” said Mr Churchill, “the amount of war material for defence in the Far East has been ultimately dependent on transport. Everj' shipment we could draw away from our vital supplies, every • escort we could divert from the Battle of the Atlantic, has been used to the utmost capacity for embarking troops, tanks and munitions from this island. Every aircraft has not only been moved by sea, but by every road—some very costly and dangerous—to the eastern battlefield. Sixty thousand men were concentrated at Singapore, but priority in modern anti-aircraft, tanks, anti-aircraft guns and artillery was accorded to the Nile Valley. Responsibility Accepted "For this decision, in its broadest tragic aspect, and also diplomatic policy, I take the fullest personal re- • sponsibility. Why should I be called upon to pick out scapegoats and throw the blame on generals, airmen and sailors—drive away loyal, trusted colleagues and submit to the clamour of certain sections of the British and Australian press?” Mr Churchill then dealt trenchantly with various criticisms of the composition of Cabinet and individual Ministers and explained how Mr Duff Cooper’s position had been made obsolete by General Sir Archibald Wavell’s appointment. Mr Churchill asked why he should be asked to find scapegoats to throw to th# wolves in answer to a section of the British and Australian press. If he did so he would be incapable of rendering any further aid to the country or to the House. Japanese naval sunremacy would last long enough to inflict heavy blows on all the nations with establishments in the Pacific, said Mr Churchill, but in the end the boot would be on the other foot. He also said that Malaya had been considerably reinforced tn the last week. To wage war effectively against Japan, it was proposed, in accordance with an agreement with Mr Roosevelt, to set up a Pacific Council in London at the same time as a similar council was established in Washington. The council would include representatives of the British, Australian, New Zealand and Netherlands Governments. Mr Churchill said he doubted whether the Japanese would attempt an invasion of Australia. Australia’s Representative A message from Perth states that Mr J. Curtin (Prime Minister of Australia) announced to-day that Sir Earle Page, who is at present in London, had been appointed Australia’s first representative on the Imperial War Cabinet. Mr

Curtin said Sir Earle Page’s appointment was only temporary. Other Ministers would -be selected for the post from time to time to ensure that whoever acted would be in close touch with Australian political developments and domestic affairs.