JOINT ACTION

Wairarapa Times-Age, 16 March 1942, Page 3

JOINT ACTION

U.S.A. & AUSTRALIA FEDERAL PREMIER’S CALL COMMONWEALTH THE LAST BASTION. PROTECTING AMERICAN WEST COAST. (By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright) CANBERRA, March 15. A warning to America that Australia was the last democratic bastion protecting the west coast of the United States was given by the Prime Minister, Mr Curtin, in a shortwave broadcast to the United States yesterday. “If Australia goes, the Americas are wide open,’’ he declared. Mr Curtin addressed the Americans as comrades in this war. He paid a tribute to the part Britain is playing in the war, coupled with her obligation to help Russia. He said that he recognised that the Mother Country found it impossible to go all out in the Pacific, and the result was that tho responsibility fell on Australia and New Zealand. Mr Curtin appealed to America to be Australia’s leader, and pledged that Australia would pull every ounce of her weight. The whole nation, he said, was stripped for war. Mr Currin continued: “It was our wish that the Pacific War Council should be located in Washington, ana it is a matter for some regret that after 95 days of Japan’s staggering advance south we have not obtained first-hand contact with America. “Therefore, we propose sending to you our Minister of External Affairs, Dr. Evatt, K.C., as a representative of a people who are determined to hold and hit back at the enemy as courageously as those from whom we spring. He will tell you that we are fighting mad and are ready for anything, and that we are committed to total warfare. “I give you the pledge of my country that there will always be an Australian Government and an Australian people. The justice of our cause is too strong to be overcome.” Mr Curtin gave a brief history of Australia’s war effort and the theatres in which her soldiers have already fought. He said: “Our fighting forces are born attackers. We shall hit the enemy whenever and as often as we can. The extent of our resistance will be measured only by the weapons that are placed in our hands. Mr Curtin’s broadcast was kept a secret till the hour of delivery in order to prevent it being jammed by the Japanese. PACIFIC COUNCIL MAY MOVE TO WASHINGTON. AS RESULT OF SHIFTED BALANCE. (Bv Telegraph—Press Association— Copyright) LONDON, March 15. New arrangements for co-ordinating the Allied strategy in the Pacific and Indian Oceans are being considered by Britain, America, Australia, New Zealand, China and India, and will shortly be discussed between them, says the “Sunday Times.” v The proposals involve remodelling the machinery of the Pacific Council, including the staff arrangements. As a result of the shifted balance, the War Council in future will possibly sit in Washington. The final decision on the constitution and shape of the Pacific Council may be delayed till Dr. Evatt reaches Washington. Dr. Evatt is later expected to go to London, where he may sit on the War Cabinet for a few months in succession to Sir Earle Page. A member of the Australian Cabinet will later succeed Dr. Evatt.