An Empire War Cabinet
The article by Mr. R. G. Menzies, formerly Prime Minister of Australia, entitled " An Empire War Cabinet? " in Wednesday's Times, raises a question which Mr. Churchill must soon consider. Australia's criticisms of the operations in Greece and Crete have
not been forgotten. Latterly criticism has been followed by some reproaches in regard to what Australians regard as neglect, in the preparations at Singapore, and Mr. Curtin himself has made some caustic remarks. Australians are in no mood to con- done mistakes in operations involving their own troops in Pacific areas, while they feel that their representatives have not had a full share in making decisions. The case which Mr. Menzies puts is that of Australian representation in the War Cabinet. It will be remembered that his own Parliament, when he was Prime Minister, did not see its way to releasing the head of the Government for prolonged service in Britain ; nor do Canada and South Africa ask for representation in the War Cabinet. But Mr. Menzies, while giving full weight to the objections to the proposal, shows that Australia desires the change. though her representative would presumably not be her Prime Minister. The case is a very strong one. If Australia and New Zealand, who are making powerful contribution to the war, want to have a direct voice in the supreme executive controlling the Empire war effort, it is difficult to see how their request can be denied, or why anyone should wish to deny it. True, there are constitu- tional questions concerning the responsibility of Ministers to their own Parliament, but these can be overcome. Australia must be made to feel, not merely that she is consulted, but that she can take her full share in framing decisions.
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