BITTER ATTACK

Wairarapa Times-Age, 15 November 1941, Page 5

BITTER ATTACK

ON AUSTRALIAN APATHY MADE BY SIR T. BLAMEY. UNSATISFIED NEED OF MEN FOR ARMY. (By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright) MELBOURNE. November 14. “I have had a look at the Australian way of life and now 1 want to get away from it. To speak candidly, it sickens me,” declared the General Officer Con/manding the Australian Imperial Force, General Sir Thomas Blarney, in another hitler attack on I lie apathy of Australians to 1 lie war. “Australians are living in a fool's paradise.'' he said. •'Everything out here shows a spirit of carnival. When will Australia realise that we are right up against it and that, we must fight or perish? Falling off now of reinforcements for the A.I.F. means that in the inevitable campaign next spring cur A.I.F. abroad may 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 take part in it. The soldiers feel keenly that the fellows who are 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?”