JAPS GO UNMOLESTED

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 86, Issue 180, 3 August 1942, Page 3

JAPS GO UNMOLESTED

OPPOSITION CRITICISM IN AUSTRALIA (Special Australian Correspondent—N.Z.P.A.) Sydney, July 31. An accusation that the Australian Government had permitted the Japanese to march unmolested from Buna towards Port Moresby has been made by a member of the Federal Opposition, Mr. J. P. Abbott, in a special statement following a meeting of the Opposition executive. Mr. Abbott, who was Minister for Home Security in the Menzies-Fadden Governments, said that not only for the preservation of Australia, but also to assist the common war effort, the Japanese must be thrown out of Papua, and progressively the campaign should be waged from island to island. The islands of the south-west Pacific should be the Achilles heel of the Axis. Russia and China were in a desperate position. Though Russia was not yet attacked by Japan, therv was no doubt that when Hitler ordered an attack, the full might ar Japan would be thrown against the Soviet forces in Siberia. If Chirxi was to be saved, as saved she must be, the pressure against her must be relieved. Relief could come oniy one way—by a vigorous, sustained effo/t in the south-west Pacific. “The Commonwealth Government will not be defending Australia adequately, nor will the enemy be conquered so long as we are preparod passively to sit down and leave the initiative to the enemy and allow Japan to decide when and where she will strike next,” said Mr Abbot. A meeting of the War Advisory Council was held following the meeting of the Opposition executive. It is known to be the view' of the Government that, as all matters of hign war policy are put before the council, on which the Opposition has representation, both sides of Parliament are fully committed by the Advisory War Council’s decisions on policy. Matterfc of administration do not come undei’ the council.