AUSTRALIA READY.

Taranaki Daily News, 20 September 1922, Page 5

AUSTRALIA READY.

HELP FOR EMPIRE. / NO HURRIED ACTION. MORE NEWS AWAITED. By Telegraph.—Press Assn —Copyright. Received Sept. 20, 1 a.m. Melbourne, Sept. 19. After Cabinet’s consideration of the Imperial Government’s invitation to the Dominions to be represented by contingents for the defence of the interests for which they have already made .enormous sacrifices and of the soil hallowed by the immortal memories of the Anzacs, Mr. W. M. Hughes to-night outlined the position in the House of Representatives. He stated that while there was a grave danger the situation had not developed to a point where Australia was called upon to do more than associate itself with Britain in endeavoring to maintain the freedom of the Straits and the neutral zone at the Dardanelles. It would be little short of a calamity if the world were plunged into another war. The Commonwealth Government had asked for the fullest information from Britain regarding the position, and had inquired what was the Allies’ objective. Australia would take part in no filibustering expedition. It had no desire to interfere with the clashing ambitions of the Greeks and the Turks. The Government was being asked to stand by Britain, not to take part in any aggressive war, but in preserving a status quo under the Sevres Treaty there was no need for a single man to offer. Australia was no nation of swash-bucklers, but if its own integrity or the integrity of the Empire was in question, it would be prepared to fight not in a contingent, but with the whole of its forces. He hoped Australia would be able to demonstrate its strength without exerting it. Dealing with the suggestion made by Mr. Charlton (Leader of the Opposition), that the suggested contingent should be made the subject of a referendum, Mr. Hughes declared it was no question for a referendum. The Government must, with Parliament, accept responsibility. He deprecated the rush for enlistment. If the time arrived for that, ample notification would be given. Mr. Charlton declared the information placed before Parliament was too meagre and ought to be made more explicit to justify so great an enterprise as the Government proposed. Mr. Page (Leader of the Country Party : expressed a similar view. The House was crowded, and attentively followed Mr. Hughes’ statement, which was marked by much gravity and little attempt at his usual verbal fireworks. He submitted no motion to the House. The military “heads” are assembled in Melbourne, perfecting plans and requirements in readiness for any emergency. Received Sept. 20, 1.30 a.m. Sydney, Sept. 19. Both the Federal and State Labor Parties are opposed to Australia being drawn into the war. THOUSANDS ENLISTING. VARIOUS SERVICES PREPARE. Sydney, Sept. 19. Received Sept. 19, 10.20 p.m. Some two thousand men, mostly exsoldiers, visited the barracks yesterday, offering to enlist, and a steady stream continued throughout to-day. Similar reports come from other centres, but nothing in the way of enlistment can be done until the Federal Government issues official in structions. The military equipment and transport services, the medical service, the Red Cross and comforts funds, and V.A.D.’s are putting their houses in order in readiness for any developments. FRENCH PRESS COMMENTS. CRITICISM OF BRITAIN. Paris, Sept. 18. The Petit Parisien says that the British Note smells a little of powder. It is our turn to-day to beg our British friends to do nothing rashly in the Near East. In 1914, the fear of Russia led Turkey into Germany’s hands. Turkey must not be led to-day by fear of the British seizure of Constantinople to throw herself into Russia’s arms. Such a step would be certain to lead to a new European war. The Petit Parisien advises Britain to be moderate on Turkey, saying she may count on an honorable peace. The Echo de Paris says it has nev?r heard language more threatening or seen a greater display of force. It even surpasses the tone employed by the ex-Kaiser. “We cannot believe that upon reflection Britain desires war. It is a question of prestige. Mustapha’s humiliation is the end pursued by the British Cabinet. Either Kemal will bow and consequently be discredited before Islam or resist, and Britain will count upon her fleet to inflict on. him a still more grievous affront. The friends of Britain hope her eyes may be opened in time to renounce the enterprise she is confronting.” L’Eclair endorses the Note, and says that Britain could not allow Kemal’s insolent declarations to pass unanswered. Our Government now has the opportunity to seal a grand alliance from the Rhine to the Bosphorous. It would consolidate our position and we should not allow the opportunity to escape.

Le Temps says the League of Nations representatives of Britain, Fraree, Italy and Czecho-Slovakia agreed to ask their Governments to guarantee a loan of £26,000,000 to Turkey. It is believed all are agreeable except Britain, which is uncertain.

The Matin considers Britain’s violent attitude in the present circumstances veritable madness. The paper ridicules the idea of the Kemalists attempting an invasion of Europe, and declares that there is a surprising disproportion between the disturbance in Lloyd Georgeian circles and the friendly settlement which was expected. It states that the French Government is perfectly cool and declines to be dragged into such an aberration.

The Petit Parisien requests its British friends to refrain from upsetting the Near East just when the French have proclaimed an agreement with the Turks subject to the freedom of the Straits. It appeals to the Turks not to throw themselves into the arms of Russia and thus sooner or later bring about a new war. TURKS DEFIANT. Constantinople, Sept. IS. The newspaper Akamin, in an inspired article, says the Kemalists will not at the moment infringe the neutral zone, but the Allies must give them the peace asked for, otherwise war .with the Allies is cer-