Following is text of statement I have to-day made to Press:

'In view of the fact that some misapprehension appears to exist in
Australia as to true nature of my recent speech on Pacific, I
desire to recapitulate substance my statement as follows:

(1) I entirely agree with Australian Advisory War Council's
opinion that war is entering its most difficult phase and that
greatest possible Australian war production is therefore
imperative.

(2) There are circumstances in Pacific, notably Japanese adherence
to a pact of some kind with Axis powers, which give rise to
anxieties about Pacific.

(3) It would be a blunder, if, simply for this reason, we resigned
ourselves to inevitability of hostilities with Japan.

(4) This means that a policy of drift is dangerous. Grown up
nations ought to be prepared talk to each other about their
differences in frank and constructive way.

(5) This does not involve what is known as "appeasement". On
contrary it is realistic. Attitude of Australia is that she
resents and will resist aggression and it would be mistake for any
power to believe that she is not prepared fight for those things
she regards as vital.

(6) I have therefore emphasised that while we are entirely
prepared to be friendly and co-operative, we are resolutely
pushing on with our own defences and with effective contribution
to defence of Singapore.

(7) I made no suggestion that any declaration or policy by
Australia was the product of fear. On the contrary, I stated that
our foreign policy is not product of this element at all. A
vigorous and comprehensive insuring of your property and interests
is not a sign of fear but of vigilance.

(8) There is no difference between the view I have expressed in
London and those I have read here as being expressed by Mr. Curtin
[1] and I should regard it as a misfortune if public discussion in
Australia proceeded on any other basis. There has certainly been
no misapprehension in the minds of my audiences here.

(9) In brief I have always understood and maintained that
Australia's Pacific policy is one of peace unless it is necessary
to go to war to resist an aggressor.'

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