Late News

Dominion, Volume 36, Issue 28, 28 October 1942, Page 6

Late News

NO INTERFERENCE BY CABINET Australian’s Reply To Hanson Baldwin SECOND-HAND CRITICISM (By Telegraph.—Press Assn. —Copyright.) (Received October 28, 1.30 a.m.) SYDNEY, October 27. “Never on tiny occasion Ims the Australian Government interfered in any way with General MacArthur’s supreme command.’’ declared the Attorney-Gen-eral. Dr. Evatt, in a spirited reply' to Hanson Baldwin, the “New York Times’” military correspondent. Mr. Baldwin, in his article cabled yesterday complained that the Australian War Cabinet and War Council had hampered General MacArthur, that Australian workmen were not pulling their weight, and that what had been done in Australia was entirely due to the United States.

Mr. Baldwin’s Labour-baiting comments on the Australian war effort are inaccurate and intemperate,” said Dr. Evatt. "He has never visited Australia. His sources of information are second-hand and seem to be confined to persons who, having failed in Australia, have returned to America, and to one or two Australian newspapers which are fast becoming notorious for belittling everything the Curtin Government has done. ‘‘No responsible authority who knows all the facts would concur in Mr. Baldwin’s criticisms, which were calculated to prejudice the already difficult task of General MacArthur’s supreme command. ' “By almost common consent the war effort of the Australian people has been greatly accelerated and intensified by the Curtin Government during the past 12 months. 'To call this government complacent is a false and reckless assertion. “Gross Ingratitude.” "Mr. Baldwin refers inaccurately to General MacArthur. He is in supreme command, and never on any occasion whatever has he been subjected to any direction or control from the War Cabinet or the War Council in respect of military, naval or air matters. “The almost miraculous development in our construction of runways and roads is due entirely to Australian workers under Australian direction. Admittedly difficulties have occurred in stevedoring and shipping, but these have been grossly exaggerated. On the whole the workers have done splendidly.”

“This belittling of Australia, displays gross ingratitude. Australia is most grateful to the United States for all that has been done, though Britain has also helped us greatly, but the United States will be equally grateful for w'hat this country has done in the cause of the United Nations—-in nearly every theatre of war.

"It is a great pity that a few American writers tend to impair the solidarity lietween the United States and Australian fighting forces which is so evident in Australia and New Guinea.”