AUSTRALIA'S DEMAND

Wairarapa Times-Age, 26 January 1942, Page 4

AUSTRALIA'S DEMAND

FOR GREATER SAY IN CONDUCT OF WAR Getting Strong Support in Britain ISSUE FOR THE HOUSE OF COMMONS DOUBTS ABOUT PACIFIC WAR COUNCIL (By Telegraph—Press Association.—Copyright.) (Received This Day, 12.25 p.m.) LONDON, January 25. When the House of Commons meets on. Tuesday, many members are expected to give strong support to the claims of Australia for a greater say in the conduct of the vzar, the ‘ ‘ Sunday Times ’ ’ diplomatic correspondent says. It is probable that Mr Churchill will invite Australia, New Zealand, Canada and South Africa to enter the Imperial War Cabinet How. ever, Mr Curtin’s request for the formation of a Pacific War Council, on which all countries concerned in the Pacific struggle would be represented, involves a different set of problems for instance the relationship of such a body to the Allied Com-mander-in-Chief, General Wavell. The correspondent adds: It is doubtful whether the other Governments affected desire such a council.” . „ The British Press is leading public opinion m support oi Australia’s case. The daily newspapers and weeklies, with few exceptions, express their realisation of the danger, not only to Australia and New Zealand, but also to the Empire. The War Cabinet will be one of three main issues in the House of Commons war debate. Mr Curtin’s forthright demand, as some papers call it, is regarded as strengthening the critics hands. IMPORTANT SUGGESTIONS , Handed to President Roosevelt (Received This Day, J 2.25 p.m.) LONDON, January 25. In Washington, Mr Casey (Australian Minister) handed President Roosevelt important suggestions from Mr Curtin regarding the defence of Australia. Mr Casey said, after the interview, that he felt reassured to an extent that the President appreciated the situation and had a wide knowledge of the position. NO WEAKENING Australia Facing Test Resolutely DECLARATION BY DEPUTY-PREMIER (Received This Day, 1 p.m.) MELBOURNE, This Day. ‘‘Australia will seek no quarter from Japan and, alone or with the help of others, will fight to a finish, said the Deputy Prime Minister, Mr Forde. Australia, would try to face the test in a way which would leave it without regrets, whatever the outcome. Its objective would be to outlast whatever the enemy could do. “It may happen,” he said, “that the Japanese will secure a temporary foothold on the Australian mainland. Everyone, inside and outside Australia, should realise that this is not impossible, and should it happen it will not be a mortal blow at Australia, though the consequences will be serious. We shall make the Japanese pay bitterly for whatever they attempt. ’ ’