MR. CURTIN BACK IN AUSTRALIA

Dominion, Volume 37, Issue 230, 27 June 1944, Page 5

MR. CURTIN BACK IN AUSTRALIA

National War Effort (Received June 26. 10.15 p.m.) SYDNEY. June 26. The Prime Minister, Mr. Curtin, landed at an Australian port today from an American ship after three months’ absence abroad. He was accompanied by Mrs. Curtin and the secretary of the Commonwealth War Cabinet, Sir Frederick Sheddon. The Prime Minister carried a brief bag containing details of bis overseas conferences and schemes that may reshape the entire form of Australia’s participation in the war. Mr. Curtin was met on the wharf by leading American Army officers and the Australian Commander-in-Chief, General Blarney, who. after staff consultations in London and Washington with the Allied war chiefs, returned ahead of the Prime Minister. He visited the forward battle areas in New Guinea liefore coining back to Australia. Also on the wharf was the Acting-Prime Minister, Mr. Fordo.

M*r. Curtin is expected to return soon to Canberra, whore ho will confer with die senior Ministers. The present intention is that the Federal Parliament will meet on August 20—-10 days after the referendum. Opposition _ members are pressing for an earlier sitting, and they myy suggest a secret session to hear Mr. Curtin's report on the Empire Prime Ministers’ conference and his discussions with Allied nations' leaders.