COMPLAINT AGAINST MILITARY POLICY

Dominion, Volume 35, Issue 260, 1 August 1942, Page 8

COMPLAINT AGAINST MILITARY POLICY

Australian Government (By Telegraph—Press Assn.— Copyright.) (Special Australian Correspondent-.) SYDNEY, July 31. An accusation that the Australian Government had perm'tted the Japanese to march unmolested from Buna toward Port Moresby has been made by a member of the executive of the Federal Opposition, Mr. J. P. Abbott, in a special statement following a meeting of the executive. Mr. Abbott was Minister for Home Security in the Menzies and Fadden Governments.

“Not only for the. preservation of Australia, but also to assist the common war effort, the Japanese must be thrown out of Papua, and progressively the campaign should be waged from island to island,” he citid. "The islands of the south-west Pacific should lie the Achilles heel of the Axis.” Russia and China were in a desjierate position, Mr. Abbott continued. Though Russia had not yet been attacked by Japan, there was no doubt, that when Hitler ordered an attack the full might of Japan would be thrown against the Soviet forces’ in Siberia. If China was to lie saved, af> saved she must be, the pressure against her must be relieved. The relief could come in only one way—a vigorous, sustained effort in the southwest Pacific.

“The Commonwealth Government will not be defending Australia adequately, nor will Hie enemy be conquered so long as we are ]>repared passively Io sit down and leave the initiative Io the enemy and allow Japan to decide when and where she will strike next,” said Mr. Abbott. A meeting of the War Advisory

Council was held following the meeting of the executive. It ir> known to be the view of the Government that, as all matters of high war policy are put. liefore Un* Council, on which Hie Opposition has representation, both sides of Parliament are fully committed by Hie Advisory War Council’s decisions on policy. Matters 01. administration do not come under the Council.