MORE CRITICISM

Wairarapa Times-Age, 14 June 1943, Page 3

MORE CRITICISM

OF MR CURTIN’S STATEMENT ON PACIFIC WAR OUTLOOK. MR W. M. HUGHES DISSENTS. (By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright) SYDNEY. June 12. “Just how the situation that a fortnight ago was grave and imminent has passed away has not been explained," said the Leader of the United Australia Party. Mr W. M. Hughes, in a statement supporting criticism by the Leader of the Federal Opposition, Mr A. W. Fadden, of Mr Curtin's declaration that Australia is now free from the threat of invasion. “It certainly does not arise out of any change in the military situation," Mr Hughes added, "for the latest statements from General MacArthur's headquarters stress the fact that no part of the Japanese forces has been weakened. Wo may be sure the Japanese are massing their forces for some definite purpose, and that purpose is offensive." Both Messrs Fadden and Hughes are members of the Australian War Council and Mr Hughes added that as a member of that council, he knew of nothing to warrant Mr Curtin's optimistic outlook. These suggestions that less than its face value should be placed on the Prime Minister's statements are reported to be much resented in quarters close to Mr Curtin. It is pointed out that his statement, being the outcome of his meeting with General MacArthur, would contain nothing that ran counter to the general’s view of the war. The publication of an overoptimistic view of the progres sof the war in the Pacific could not be of political advantage to Mr Curtin, since it would leave the Government at the mercy of events occurring before the elections. Further, his optimistic statement is seen as tending to increase the unpopularity of war time control and disciplinary measures, for which Mr Curtin must carry political responsibility.

MR CURTIN’S FAITH IN SECURITY OF AUSTRALIA. FOUNDED ON WORK ALREADY DONE. (Special Australian Correspondent.) SYDNEY, June 13. The belief that Japan could not conquer Australia either now or at any future time in the war has again been voiced by Mr Curtin. The Commonwealth Prime Minister said this in defending his earlier assurance that he did not think the enemy could now invade Australia. Mr Curtin added that his faith was “founded on work that has already been done, and on the absolute confidence in the work before us which we will do.” While Mr Curtin’s announcement that Australia was no longer in grave danger came rather like a shot out of the blue, it is accepted by the majority of Australians at its full face value. It is understood that Mr Curtin’s systematic practice of not initiating statements about operational matters unless with the knowledge of the SouthWest Pacific Commander-in-Chief, General MacArthur, was adhered to in this instance. “it must be assumed that Mr Curtin's optimistic appraisal and forecast would not have been issued so soon after the stern warnings of only three months ago if the strategical position had not improved, and if preparations for the new stage of both limited and major offensives against Japan had not proceeded in the interim,” writes the “Sydney Morning Herald's” military correspondent. “Since the Japanese island arc remains as strong as ever, and no major territorial aerial or naval gains have been reported in the meantime, the only deduction is that the Allied strength has been greatly increased in preparation for an enlarged tactical offensive within a strategical defensive or even for an outright offensive, on a broader strategical scale.” Attacks against Japanese sea power arc accepted as an essential part of the Allies’ Pacific strategy. Indeed, the progressive decline of the enmy's mercantile marine is seen as an important factor accounting for Mr Curtin’s reassuring survey. The limitation imposed on the enemy's strategical plans by shipping difficulties, together with the great increases in America’s countering sea and air strengths, have at last seen the passing of the general initiative into Allied hands.

The position in the southern Pacific is summed up by Mr Lewis Sebring, the “New. York Herald-Tribune” war correspondent in this theatre, who writes: “Japan, by failing to press on against Australia, lost a chance she will never have again.”