WARM WELCOME

Wairarapa Times-Age, 27 March 1942, Page 4

WARM WELCOME

GIVEN GENERAL MACARTHUR IN CANBERRA TALKS WITH MINISTERS & OTHERS. COMING CONSULTATIONS ON WAR PLANS. (By Telegraph—Press Association.) . (Received This Day, 10.35 a.m.) CANBERRA, This Day. General MacArthu'r, on his arrival yesterday afternoon, was received by the Army Minister (Mr Forde) and the United States Minister, Mr Nelson Johnson, who gave him a very cordial welcome, which continued for some time. Then General MacArthur was brought into contact with the Prime Minister (Mr Curtin) and his colleagues and members of the War Council, with whom General MacArthur had long consultations. Later again he met the British, Chinese and Canadian Ministers. He was the guest of. honour at a Parliamentary dinner last night, which was attended by the Governor-General and various Consuls. General MacArthur was given a seat on the floor of the House of Representatives last night—a privilege previously reserved for distinguished members of Dominion Parliaments and House of Commons. Discussions which began yesterday are a prelude to deliberations continuing next week, when General MacArthur, in conjunction with the senior Australian Service officers arid also members of Cabinet, will fill in details of organisation and operational plans on which the defence of Australia and an ultimate offensive against Japan will be based. It is expected that the names of Australian commanders to work with General MacArthur will be announced next week. General MacArthur motored from Melbourne to Canberra yesterday, in order to see the country.

MR CURTIN’S COMMENT HOPES OF SURPRISING ENEMY. GENERAL MACARTHUR’S PLEDGE. (By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright) CANBERRA, March 26. At the close of General MacArthur’s talks with the War Council, the Prime Minister, Mr Curtin, said that the discussion was specially directed to the disposition of the Allied forces in Australia, and questions of tactics and strategy and counter-tactics were reviewed and explored. Mr Curtin added: “I have no doubt that just as we shall surprise the enemy we shall gratify ourselves.” When General MacArthur entered the House of Representatives tonight be was greeted with rounds of applause. Responding to a toast of his health at a dinner, General MacArthur said he was deeply moved by the warmth of the reception which had been given him since his arrival in Australia. Hei had come as a soldier in a great crusade for the maintenance of personal liberty. There could, he said, be no compromise in the coming conflict. “We shall win or die. I pledge your country the fullest help of the strength of my own country.”