Evening star., 1942-02-02
Australia Takes Sfeps
To Put New Defense
Measures Into Effect
Bombers Losh Out Again
At Joponese Forces on
New Britoin Island
BY the Associated Press.

BY the Associated Press.
MELBOURNE, Australia, Feb. O.
The Australian government moved
swiftly today to put into effect
secret defense measures decided on
yesterday as Australian bombers
lashed out again at japanese
forces battling to extend their
foothold on New Britain Island in
the Bismark archipelago.
A communique said Australian
airmen had twice attacked Japanese
shipping In the harbor Of Rabaul,
capital of New Britain, but the re-
suits were not Immediately dis
closed.
The Australian Air Force re-
ported that Japanese scouting
planes had dropped bombs in the
vicinity of Tulagi, in the British
inundated section of the Solomon
Islands, some 600 miles southwest
of Rabaul, but said there were no
casualties or serious damage.
Three Hour Cabinet Session.
Disclosure of the adoption of the
secret measures to strengthen Aus
tralias defenses against invasion
was made by War Minister Francis
Forde after a three-hour cabinet
session yesterday attended by chiefs
of the CommonWealth's army, navy
and air forces.
The advisory war council was
summoned to another meeting to-
day at which it was expected to
make further important decisions
regarding northern defenses.
Indicating the gravity with which
he viewed the situation, Prime Min
lister John Curtin. who had just re-
turned from Perth, Cancelled plans
to go to Canberra for a session Of
state premiers so that he might at
tend the advisory council meeting.
Mr.. Curtin announced that ar
rangements had been made to step
up Australia's warplane production
Immediately. He said program had
been decided on to increase produc-
tion of Beaufort bombers and of
new type of bomber Of Australian
design
$4,000, 900 Expenditure.
The latter. he said, will be con-
structed of parts manufactured al
most exclusively in Australia under
a plan involving an initial expend-
iture of more than SIS 5,00O,0
Mr.. Curtin said plans also had
been approved for procurement of
other planes. including fighters. and
for expansion Of the Australian air
forces repair and service facilities.
The Prime Minister declared that
successful prosecution of the war
demanded works. not words" COM
plete loyalty to Britain and close
collaboration with her Allies.
This" he said, expressed itself
In production of fighting equipment,
the right use of that equipment and
the disposition of our forces as a
result of collaboration so that We
shall not have the enemy overtaking
bands of patriots in isolated places,
overcoming them one by one"
Shocked at Reports.
Mr.. Curtin added he was shocked
and amazed" at intimations abroad
that complete unity did not exist
between the people of Australia and
Britain.
Nothing has been said or done
since the outbreak of the war which
had any other purpose than con-
solidating the fighting power of
Britain and the commonwealth in
the face of common danger" he
declared.
Mr.. Curtin's remarks apparently
were in answer to comment elected
by his assertion last month that
Australia, in need of aid, looks to
America free from any pangs about
our traditional links of friendship
to Britain"