CURTIN’S APPEAL

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 86, Issue 62, 14 March 1942, Page 5

CURTIN’S APPEAL

HELP FOR AUSTRALIA THREAT BY JAPANESE OPINIONS IN AMERICA (By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright.) . (Rec. 8.20 p.m.) Washington, Mar. 12. , Responsible quarters regard Nir. R. G. Casey’s visit to White House as a sign tnat Mr. J. Curtin, Prime t Minister of Australia, has again [ appealed for help against the Japanese, whose sensational advances now threaten to drive a wedge between Australia and the United States by the occupation of at least parts of the Australian mainland. ' The urgency of Mr. Curtins mes- . sage obviously was recognised al vvnite House, since immeaiuieiy after . laiKing witn tne President ivir. Casey I was received al the war ana Navy Departments Lor further consultation on the same subject. The critical problem appears in high circles nere to be wnether the Japanese can oe blocxed irom the occupation of New Guinea and iNonnern Australia, points which would be useful as bases for a counter-offensive against Japan. By such occupation Japan could split Australia apart from the United States as tar as any effective counter-attack is concerned. A survey of several responsible quarters here disclosed that there is little expectation that Japan would occupy in the near future the populous parts of Australia, but there is almost universal expectation that the Japanese will attempt landings in the north territories. One of the high sources represented Mr. Roosevelt as confident that Australia could hold enough territory to remain an effective base for counter operations by the forces of both nations. “But another of the sources said: “Whether Australia holds out or not depends entirely on the Australians themselves. We are going to help all we can, but the main job is theirs and on their territory.” This source conceded that the Australians were making energetic preparations but declined to prophesy the result. The same source, and others, gave the impression that the Battle for Australia will be comparable to the Battle £or Britain in September, 1940 when a few pilots saved England, and to the Battle for Moscow last November, which the Russians won by straining their utmost. In oilier words, the opinion here is that Australian shores may be the zenith of Axis gains in the Pacific, as were English cities and Moscow suburbs in Europe, provided there is the same desperate defence. Favourable factors are the extended Japanese lines and the shortened Australian-United States lines. AGAINST STRIKES AUSTRALIAN ACTION HOME FRONT MOVES Canberra, March 12. The War Cabinet to-uay decided tu take action io deal wiui sirik.es. in many industries, such as coalmining, ■ the Government win use its power* under the ixationai Security Act in the event of siriKes against current ; awards and agreements, to direct any person or persons to perform any ’ work or do any task ueemeu necessary lor the successful prosecution oi ■ the war. The Minister of Supply, Mr. J. A. Beasley, announced the creation oi a Directorate of Defence and Civilian Foodstuffs with Mr. G. A. Davis as Defence Food Controller. , This directorate will control the proGUction and supply ol all loodstuiis to the Australian and Allied forces, and will work in conjunction witn the Commerce Department in maintaining essential civilian food supplies, if win > also deal with the export ol foodstuffs . to Allied and Empire units overseas. [ Australian shipowners have been ordered to provide portable wireless sets capable of being used in case of . emergency in lifeboats. They must also provide protection for the crews against, machine-gun bullets. In addition to allowing Good Friday and Easter Saturday as public holidays. the Federal Government is permitting the customary observance of Anzac Day on April 25. FRESH RAIDS MADE DAMAGE AT SALAMAUA Canberra, March 12. An air communique says that ! further raids were carried out on Salamaua and Lae yesterday. Hits storea on the runway and the aerodrome buildings -at Salamaua were destroyed. One Japanese lighter was shot down without loss to the attackers. Port Moresby was raided again yesterday The enemy aircraft were xept 1 at a great height and there were no c asualties. FINSCHHAVEN PORT AND AIRFIELD Sydney, March 11 Finschhaven, on which Japanese i forces have landed, was formerly a • German Lutheran mission, and is believed to have been a centre of prewar Nazi activity. Finschhaven is about 60 miles wsst of Lae, and has a small aerodrome and a harbour suitable for vessels of moderate tonnage. No details of the landing are yet available nor have the Army authorities at Port Moresby released further information concerning the position at Lae and Salamaua. CONFIDENT INVESTORS AUSTRALIAN SHARES RISE (Rec. 10.5 p.m.) New York March 12. Whether it was the R.A.F. and American smashing hits against the Japanese invasion fleets, or other circumstances. can only be conjectured, but on ’Change to-day Australian Government issues regained favour in the sight of investors. Practically every Australian stock showed an unward movement with a brisk demand at enhanced values.