NOTE OF WARNING

Wairarapa Times-Age, 13 November 1942, Page 3

NOTE OF WARNING

SOUNDED BY AUSTRALIAN PREMIER. DANGERS OF “VICTORY COMPLEX.” (By Telegraph—Press Association— Copyright) MELBOURNE, November 12. A warning against any development of a “victory complex” has been given to Australians by Mr Curtin. “The news from North Africa is magnificent, but it must not be taken as warranting any diminution of the struggle, he said. “Any relaxation of effort would mean prolongation of the wai. Japan has to be driven out of New Guinea, the Solomons, Timor, the Netherlands East Indies and the Philippines.” , . J , . The background io this statement is that the Australian Government feels concern at evidences of complacency and some slackening of effort since the victories in North Africa. Mr Curtin makes it clear that the Australian Government will not be satisfied till Japan has suffered a serious reverse. His view is that while the Japanese may now feel the psychological effect and will eventually feel the material effect of the North African campaigns, their immediate power for attack has not been impaired. Mr Curtin wants an offensive developed not only to drive them out of New Guinea and the Solomons and Timor, but also out of their great base at Rabaul, in order to secure Australia. He believes the risk of immobilisation and isolation of Australia still continues.