MANY WEAPONS

Dominion, Volume 35, Issue 289, 4 September 1942, Page 5

MANY WEAPONS

Allied Assistance To S.W. Pacific

BRITISH PROMISE (By Telegraph.—Press Assn.—Copyright.) (Received September 3,11.50 p.m.) CANBERRA, September 3.

The outlook in the Pacific is much brighter than it appeared possible six months ago, the Minister of External Affairs, Dr. Evatt, told the House of Representatives today. The number of combat aircraft which had been received in the south-west Pacific theatre of war since March’, he said, had been very substantial, and far beyond the wildest hopes of the black days of February.

Dr. Evatt revealed that in London he made special arrangements with Mr. Cburcliill bearing on the defence of the south Pacific, including a special contribution of certain undisclosed war equipment. Dr. Evatt told the story, of a conversation with Mr. Churchill and a high-ranking officer, when Dr. Evatt had put a certain equipment proposal. The officer was not over-enthusiastic, and said that the proposal would hurt another high-ranking commander. • “Well,” said Mr. Churchill, “unless it hurts him-it is not going to be of much use to Australia and New Zealand. It has got to be done.” Dr. Evatt paid a -tribute to the assistance of the United States, which, he said, was not measured alone in aircraft, munitions, or personnel. There had been an important increase in the quantity of materials received from the United States for the manufacture of munitions in Australia, and this included machine tools.

Answering a question: “Is the Government satisfied about the position in this theatre'of war?” Dr. Evatt said the Government would never be satisfied till the enemy was beaten back and finally overthrown. There was too much at stake to ease up for a moment.