MELBOURNE, 5 March 1941

SPEECH BY MR. MENZIES AT THE FOREIGN PRESS ASSOCIATION LUNCHEON IN
LONDON

The Acting Prime Minister [1] referred to press references to the
speech made by Mr. Menzies [2] at the Foreign Press Association
luncheon, which appeared to have been interpreted by some local
newspapers and by public opinion in some quarters in Australia as
one of appeasement towards Japan. Messrs. Curtin [3] and Beasley
[4] had also approached him and stated that, in their opinion, Mr.

Menzies had created the unfortunate impression in his speech that
the warning given to the public of Australia by the Advisory War
Council on 13th February had not been justified. [5] War Cabinet
did not concur in this view.

The Acting Prime Minister stated that he proposed to despatch the
following cablegram to Mr. Menzies, and this was approved:-

'Your speech Foreign Press Association luncheon has been
interpreted here by some newspapers and certain public opinion as
one of appeasement of Japan.

'Such newspapers recapitulating support they gave to warnings
issued by Government and War Council on Pacific position a
fortnight ago.

'Japanese Consul-General [6] seized opportunity publication of
your speech to tell public here that warnings issued by Australian
Government unjustified.

'Think that necessarily abbreviated accounts of your speech
published here have given rise in some quarters to wrong
impression. Cabinet consider this should be cabled to you as a
guide to reactions.' [7]