Makes statement on Pacific Unity of Command.

‘… a system of unified command will be established in the south-west Pacific area. All the forces in this area, sea, land and air, will operate under one supreme commander.’3

JCPML.Records of the Curtin Family. John Curtin working on a Sunday morning, Lodge study, Canberra. 1942. JCPML00376/6

Makes statement on Singapore representation, concerning the appointment of General Wavell, and recall of Mr Duff Cooper.9

Attends meetings of the War Cabinet and the War Council.

Makes statements on:

• Status of officers from the AIF who return from overseas while the war is in progress.
• War Cabinet approval for discharge of a limited number of members of the AIF to accept commissions in the Indian Army.
• War Cabinet decision against the remains of members of the fighting forces who are killed or die abroad being brought back to Australia.
• War Cabinet consideration of congestion on the wharfs in Melbourne.
• War Cabinet decision to permit the entry of a token number of Chinese and Eurasian women and children.
• War Cabinet authorization of reallocation of Australian-made supplies of respirators and steel helmets.
• War Cabinet decision not to alter the present war savings certificate scheme.
• Constitution of an Administrative Planning Committee by War Cabinet to deal with questions relating to the war in the Pacific region.
• War Cabinet decision to maintain an alternative air mail service to the Middle East and the United Kingdom, should this become necessary.10

Receives telegram from an employers' representative on the Industrial Relations Council (Mr. Perry), re suspension of sittings and sends a response.

JCPML. Records of the Curtin Family. At Perth Railway Station, Jan. 1942. JCPML00004/26

Arrives in Perth to be met by his wife and daughter and ‘a large crowd of cheering supporters.’

Attends the wedding of Syd Gray to Roma Milbourne.

[Syd Gray knew John Curtin through his sister, Frances Shea, who had been employed at the offices of the Westralian Worker in the late twenties. Curtin was also associated with the Gray family through their father Edmund Harry Gray, a unionist, socialist and Labor MLC for West Province from 1923-52.]

According to Mrs Shea her brother was in AIF uniform on Adelaide Station when he saw John Curtin. ‘He said, “Remember me?” John Curtin said, “Course I remember you Syd, come into my carriage.” So Syd came in and he asked how he was - the crowd outside, they were cheering … So Syd said to him “Well I hope you can come to my wedding.” … He [Curtin] said, “Of course I’ll come … I daresay the invitation is at home isn’t it? That will be the first social event when I get there.'

Makes statements on:

• Criticizing the British Broadcasting Commission for suggesting he is on holiday.
• The strategic direction of the war.
• Repeating view of holidays and obligations of civilians:

‘Having regard to all the circumstances that to-day enmesh our country, the man not fighting has no valid excuse for not working.’

Makes national broadcast for Australia Day.

Sends telegram to Mr F T Perry, a member of the Employers' Panel, on the functioning of the Industrial Relations Council. 19

Attends a luncheon in his honour provided by the Perth City Council, the Australian Labor Party and the Chambers of Commerce and Manufacturers.

Makes statements on:

• The Industrial Relations Council and the obligations of employers.
• Cable thanking Sir Robert Brooke-Popham, who worked to provide defence capacity in the Far East, on the termination of his appointment. 22

Noon
Addresses constituents at civic reception.
Makes ‘passionate appeal for war sacrifice. “Doctrines and philosophies of human betterment must stay in escrow while the nation struggles for its existence,” he said.’

Evening
Broadcasts over radio station 6KY.

In the course of a ‘fireside chat’ from his home in Cottesloe, the Prime Minister said ‘that the work with which he had been occupied on his visit to Western Australia was important not only to West Australians, but was most definitely to the security of the Commonwealth. When Australia was at war no part of it was unimportant.’

Makes statement on war strategy and response to Churchill’s speech of 27 January in House of Commons.

Attends meeting of the Loan Council, at which there was a meeting of the State Premiers.
Mr Curtin gave the State Premiers ‘a broad picture of the serious war position confronting Australia.’

Holds press conference.

Makes statement on Port Kembla dispute and the maintenance of steel production.

Together with daughter Elsie and a girlfriend of Elsie’s, attends wedding of Fred Southwell’s daughter Thelma. Proposes a toast to the couple at the reception at the Masonic Hall, and puts his car at the disposal of guests wanting a lift to the station.

[Curtin became close friends with Fred Southwell and his brother Jack, meeting them through their sister Belle Southwell, who managed the government-owned Kurrajong Hotel, where many Labor politicians stayed when in Canberra.] 30 30a

Issues National Security Regulation 17AA regarding the removal of all forms of road signs where such information was likely to afford assistance to the enemy in the event of hostile attack.

Issues regulations requiring that all radium, when not actually in use on a patient, be either stored in containers or in a storage depot in a safe place.33

JCPML. Records of Thelma MacKinnon.Belle Southwell, John Curtin & Eric Tonkin, St Ninian's Church, 15 February 1942. JCPML00721/1/8

Attends dedication of St Ninian’s Church.

Receives phone call from General Sturdee, who presses for return of the 6th, 7th and 9th Divisions to Australia. 36

Confirmation of fall of Singapore reaches Australia.

‘The fall of Singapore can only be described as Australia's Dunkirk. It will be recalled that the fall of Dunkirk initiated the Battle for Britain. The fall of Singapore opens the Battle for Australia. …’

After a restless night makes decision to ask for return of Australian divisions to Australia. Cables Churchill to demand ‘the return to Australia of the two Australian divisions rather than have them squandered in a useless defence of either Java or Japan’.

Meets E H Cox in King’s Hall late in the day… ‘and he paused as he passed and remarked with a wry smile: “Well, as I said yesterday, I didn’t have a very good night, but the decision has gone forward. They are coming back to Australia.”’

Attends meeting of Full Cabinet.
‘To organise the unstinted and unflagging assistance which will enable us not be become a people governed by others.’

Makes statement on Full Cabinet decisions to:

• Appoint the Minister for External Territories (Senator Fraser) as Minister Assisting the Minister for the Army.
• Appoint the Minister for Commerce (Mr. Scully) and the Minister for Health and Social Services (Mr Holloway) to the Production Executive.
• Set up an Allied Works Council.
• Gazette the regulations necessary for the total mobilization and ordering of all the resources - human and material - of Australia on a Commonwealth-wide basis. ‘To ensure the defence of our country.’

Travels to Sydney for public launch of War Loan in Martin Place.

Receives visit from daughter, Elsie, who finds him ‘surrounded by hundreds of goodwill messages.’

On being advised of bombing of Darwin, issues statement from hospital announcing, ‘this first battle on Australian soil,’ claiming that the people of Darwin had ‘comported themselves with the gallantry that is traditional in the people of our stock.’

Makes statements on:

• National Security (Mobilization of Services and Property) Regulations.
• Approval of National Security (Economic Organization) regulations.

JCPML. Records of Lloyd Ross.John Curtin, historical broadcast to USA, 1942.JCPML00617/65/31
Courtesy National Library of Australia, MS 3939, Series 11, Folder 65.

General Douglas MacArthur arrives by train, to act as Supreme Commander at the invitation of Curtin.

MacArthur’s arrival caused:

‘the greatest sigh of relief that ever happened in any country, you could hear the nation go, “Aaaaagh the Yanks are here” … and MacArthur taking poses for the cameras, he was the greatest actor I’ve ever known but he was a ham, he really was a ham, he’d take a photo, watching the cameras all the time.’‘This John Wayne-like figure, with his penchant for dramatic language and theatrical behaviour, seemed to have stepped out of a Saturday matinee. He was the cavalry captain, with bugle blowing and flag flying, riding over the hill to disperse the besieging Indians.’

Makes statement on second attack on Broome and announces that Derby has been attacked. 62

10.30 am? – 1.15 pm
Chairs meeting of Federal Parliamentary Labor Party and makes statement on the war situation.

JCPML.Records of the John Curtin Prime Ministerial Library.Prime Minister John Curtin and US General Douglas MacArthur, 194? JCPML00178/8

• Clerks of Courts acting as agents for the Commonwealth Government.
• State Premiers attending conference with General MacArthur.
• Sunday entertainment for forces.
• Assurance by State Premiers that no State would seek to make a profit out of vacant State Crown land transferred to the Commonwealth for tax purposes. 91

Attends meeting of War Cabinet.

Makes statements on:

• War Cabinet decision re increase in subsistence allowance to members of the military forces.
• Celebration of MacArthur Day. 129

• State of the war.
• Return of Dr Evatt from America on 21 June.

Makes statement on War Cabinet approving an amendment of the Australian Military Regulations covering saluting.

'…the relaxation of the provisions relating to saluting (approved on 29th October, 1941) had contributed towards casualness and carelessness which had become noticeable and contributed to a lack of smartness that was dangerous because it did not give soldiers a disciplined state of mind which was important under active service conditions.' 144

Holds press conference in which Mr Curtin expresses the view that it was:

‘… unfortunate that Sir Keith Murdoch [Chairman of Directors, Herald and Weekly Times, Melbourne] in the Melbourne Herald should advocate that the government should promise full rights of citizenship to all our allies. He [Mr Curtin] points out that our allies include Chinese and other coloured people. At the present moment he is engaged in what he describes as a “tulip dance” with Dr Hsu Mu [Minister for China to Australia 1942-1945] on the rights of Chinese in Australia. As a result of this article he expects Dr Hsu to descend upon him with further demands.’

Makes statements on:

• Reciprocal aid to United States forces.
• Full Cabinet decision on control of meat surpluses and the price of lamb. 146

Greets General MacArthur and NZ PM Peter Fraser

Speaks at the ceremony commemorating the 100th anniversary of the incorporation of Sydney as a city.

Makes statement on conference with miners regarding increased coal production.

Holds press conference which includes foreshadowing important reorganisation of Army commands in the near future, and emphasis, both on and off-the-record, of the necessity of striking the Japanese ‘hard’.

Reports on further Japanese landing in Papua.

Makes statements on the validity of legislation for uniform taxation.

Makes a 'fighting comeback' after a “spell of bleak news, incessant ear-ache and brooding irresolution.”

Makes statements on:

• Stoppages in the coal-mining industry.
• Uniform taxation and States rights.

Makes statements on:

• Reserved occupations.
• Japanese propaganda. 163

Holds press conference which includes comments on recruiting and on the coal shortage in the southern States which has occurred because ‘ships were being assembled for the forthcoming operation of which he spoke some days ago.’

Presents report on alcoholic liquor prepared by the Minister for Customs, Senator Keane.

Makes statements on:

• War Cabinet decision to pay endowment to repatriated children.
• Shipping coal from Newcastle to Adelaide.
• War Cabinet decision to call up refugee aliens and non-refugee enemy aliens for work with the Allied Works Council.
• Authority of the States to make decisions on matters affecting sport, including racing. 164

Holds press conference which includes an expression of annoyance at ‘Fadden’s statement on coal last night.

“What did they do when they were in power?” he asked. “Bob [Menzies] sat here like a pontiff and then decided to go and make a speech which aggravated the bloody position.”’

Makes statement questioning coalminer's right to strike when Australia is at war.

Announces:

• Visit of Prime Minister of New Zealand, Mr Fraser, and his presence at a meeting of the War Cabinet.
• Presence of the Chairman and the Governor of the Commonwealth Bank at a meeting of the War Council. 165

Announces:

• Strengthening of Australian service representation in Washington and London.
• Increase in pay and allowances for service personnel.

Makes statements on:

• Allied offensive.
• Roles of State and Commonwealth Police in the enforcement of laws against illicit and unlawful drinking.
• Price regulation and the prevention of profiteering. 166

Announces:

• Full Cabinet decision to abandon plans for profit limitation.
• Provisions in budget for changes to rates of pay for fighting forces and service personnel.

Speaks in defence of war organisation of industry.

Makes statements on:

• Full Cabinet decision to cut beer production and sale.
• Full Cabinet decision on income tax deductions and concessions granted.
• Proposal asking Parliament to assemble on 2 September 1942.
• Commencement of daylight saving 1942-1943.
• Full Cabinet decision to approve the preparation of legislation to establish a mortgage bank. 167

Holds press conference and is:

‘… worried and angry over the loss of the West Australian battalion at Ruin Ridge in the Middle East. … He said the West Australian battalion had been “butchered”. … He was angry that the Australians had again been made the “chopping block” although there were 900,000 other troops in the Middle East. Once again he said the tanks had arrived too late.’

Attends meeting of Full Cabinet.

Makes statements on:

• Field allowances paid to officers being assessable income.
• Criticism by the Leader of the Opposition (Mr. Fadden) on prices and profits, and offers an enquiry.
• Appointment of Cabinet sub-committee to keep under review the progress of reconstruction planning and to co-ordinate and direct inter-departmental activities.
• Criticism of membership of the British Commonwealth of Nations by Pandit Nehru. 168

Makes statements:

• In response to criticism of Allied offensive by Mr Hughes, UAP.
• On Leader of the Opposition, Mr Fadden’s, accusations and lack of evidence relating to price control. 169

Makes speech on difficulties in adequately supplying the Allied offensive.

Makes statements on:

• War Cabinet recommendations for medical care and after-treatment of invalided members of the forces.
• War Cabinet decision to amend National Security (Civil Defence Works Compensation) Regulations to provide cover for personal injuries suffered by civil defence workers while travelling to or from duty.
• War Cabinet decision to re-appoint Mr. A B Corbett as Director-General of Civil Aviation for a further period of one year.
• War Cabinet decision concerning shortage of public service typists and their acceptance by women’s war organisations.
• War Cabinet decision to approve the production of uniforms for Air Training Corps and Military Cadets Corps personnel.
• War Cabinet decision on eligibility of members of the Civil Constructional Corps for compensation for personal injury.
• Consideration of report of sub-committee of War Cabinet on war commitments and man-power. 170

Gives an ‘impassioned’ speech at a ‘smoke concert’ of the Commercial Travellers Association.

Attends Premiers’ Conference.

“Had a vexatious day … Lunched on a cup of black coffee, missed dinner, remained at the conference until midnight.”

The Premiers’ Conference was ‘of a most harmonious character’ and the ‘Prime Minister was happy to take the Premiers into his confidence and enlist their co-operation in the tremendous difficulties facing the nation. … There has never been a Prime Minister so open and co-operative with the Premiers,’ and ‘every decision at the conference had been reached unanimously.’

Makes statement on decisions of conference regarding sale, trading hours, and other issues concerning alcoholic liquor.

Breakfasts on two chops and an egg and wearing his 'new dark suit … sallied briskly into Melbourne’s bitter north-easterlies.'

Attends, with Mrs Curtin, as guests of honour at a patriotic ball.

'This function took the place of the usual mayoral ball, and the total proceeds, … will be divided among the Red Cross, the Australian Comforts Fund and the Prisoners of War Fund.'

Addresses luncheon arranged to celebrate the centenary of the incorporation of the City of Melbourne.
[On 12 August, 1842, Melbourne was incorporated as a Town by Act 6 Victoria No. 7 of the Governor and Legislative Council of New South Wales.]

Suffering an attack of neuritis, he was found later in the afternoon, 'wrapped in a rug, brooding in the dark in his room at the Victoria Palace. The news was better that night and his neuritis lifted again.'

Attends meeting of Advisory War Council. Afterwards announces no tolerance of political censorship. Promised censorship 'will be confined to security.'

Makes statements on:

• Possible breach of censorship law by leader of the UAP, Mr Hughes.
• Submission of names and composition of Trades Union Advisory Panel.
• Food supplies and the Australian Food Council. 176

Mrs Curtin arrives in Melbourne, en route to Canberra.

Makes statements on:

• Continuous review of decisions of Premiers’ Conference.
• Expressing confidence in Chief Publicity Censor (Mr E G Bonney).
• Compulsory unionism in the textile industry.
• An order under National Security (General) Regulations to control the acquisition, sale, distribution or disposal of all maps of Australia.

Travels, with Mrs Curtin and Frederick Shedden by train to Brisbane to meet with MacArthur at MacArthur’s new headquarters.

[In World War II Sir Frederick Shedden (1893-1971) became Australia’s 'most important public servant. As the head of the Department of Defence, he played a crucial role in bringing Australia to a war footing … but the prime source of his power and influence was his position as secretary of the War Cabinet.'

'Shedden set up a highly organised and functional War Cabinet Secretariat. He attended almost all the War Cabinet meetings, took notes of proceedings, prepared minutes confirming decisions and then, as Defence Secretary, set about ensuring they were implemented. … Shedden’s orderly mind, unrivalled understanding of bureaucratic process and knowledge of defence administration resulted in a highly efficient Secretariat, which enhanced the War Cabinet’s authority.']

Arrived looking 'remarkably fit and well.'

JCPML. Records of the Curtin Family. Mrs Curtin launching HMAS Fremantle, August 1942. JCPML00376/197

JCPML. Records of the Curtin Family.  Launching of HMAS Fremantle, August 1942.  JCPML00376/196.

Meets with General MacArthur.

Attends launching of HMAS Fremantle by Mrs Curtin.

Makes statements on:

• Complaint by leader of the UAP, Mr Hughes and the censorship of external communications.
• Censorship.
• Defending Department of War Organisation of Industry.
• Expressing gratitude to the United States for assistance in the war with Japan.

Evening
Holds press conference and launches an attack against the Opposition and the Press. 180

Midday
Attends Parliamentary luncheon given for him by the State Government.

Gives address at civic reception covering Allied offensive and supplies, and austerity.

Makes statement defending Government’s administration.

Expresses sympathy on behalf of Government to next-of-kin of crew on loss of HMAS Canberra.

Morning
Air raid warning sounds just as Mr and Mrs Curtin were about to leave by train for Sydney.

Takes shelter 'together with many Queensland Parliamentarians who were seeing them off … Passengers were in the shelter for 25 minutes and Mr Curtin’s train was 40 minutes late in starting.' 182

Attends 16 appointments, including an interview with Earle Page.

Visits a Bondi film studio and makes a campaign short on the Austerity Loan, timetabled for 10 minutes.

'Actually the shooting occupied 50 minutes, and the PM hot and badgered missed his lunch.

With Mrs Curtin, attends and speaks at the 77th birthday party of Dame Mary Gilmore, held at the Pickwick Club.

Mr Curtin, who knew Dame Mary 30 years ago when she edited the woman’s page of the Worker, said in his speech: "Dame Mary Gilmore is one of the makers of the real wealth of this nation, and therefore among the immortals."'’

Mrs Curtin presented Dame Mary with a pair of Russian bedsocks, which she had knitted on her journey from Perth, and a chiffon scarf.

['Mary Jean Cameron (1864-1962) was born at Cotta Walla near Goulburn, New South Wales, and was a school teacher before she joined William Lane's New Australia experiment in Paraguay; in Paraguay she married William Gilmore in 1897. They returned to Australia in 1902 and settled on a farm near Casterton in western Victoria. In 1908 she began to edit the Women's Page of the Sydney Worker, which she continued to do until 1931. In 1912, her husband joined his brother on the land in north Queensland, and she and her son moved back to Sydney.

Her life span of nearly a century joined pioneering Australia to the modern Commonwealth, just as her verse projects some of the basic elements of the Australian ethos into twentieth century literature. In 1937 she was made a Dame of the British Empire for her services to Australian literature.

Returns with Mrs Curtin to Canberra.

Announces Loan and Austerity Campaign. 185

Announces amendments to the National Security (General) Regulations concerning total mobilization.

'A crowded and tedious day and night, with Full Cabinet.'

Makes statements on:

• Full Cabinet approval of Commonwealth Entertainments Tax.
• Full Cabinet approval to provide compensation to the Canberra Hospital Board due to the cessation of the Australian Capital Territory Hospital Tax.
• Full Cabinet decision to amend the income tax law so that periodic payments of alimony made under court orders or deeds of separation would be treated as assessable income.
• Full Cabinet decision that no alteration be made in regard to taxation of gold-mining. 187

Receives visit from one of the “Westralian Sandovers from a nearby military training school.”

'The Sandovers are a great Australian Rules football family of the West. Curtin put his feet on the table talked football for a grateful ten minutes.'

Makes statements on:

• The control of meat prices.
• Clarifying that leak of classified information was not through members of the Australian War Advisory Council.

Announces:

• Co-option of Sir Earle Page, to the Australian Advisory War Council and to attend meetings of the War Cabinet.
• Appointment of Mr. E T Kennedy, chief executive of Associated newspapers Limited, Sydney, to the Press Censorship Advisory Committee. 188

Holds press conference which includes discussion on diplomatic representation to Russia, Japanese landings at Milne Bay and a proposed visit of dominions Prime Ministers to America.

Receives visit from Premier Forgan-Smith, with whom he discussed the Queensland sugar crop and labour shortages

Makes statement on the introduction of sugar rationing.

Afternoon
Records Austerity broadcast.

Expresses gratitude 'to the gallant forces and the able leadership for all that is being done for us. Australia is well served.'

Makes statements on:

• War Cabinet removal of the restriction on the appointment of women doctors to the Royal Australian Air Force.
• War Cabinet decision to appoint a War Historian.
• Review of manpower commitments, and War Cabinet consideration of report by subcommittee. 191

Attends secret session of Parliament, where he appeals to members to control criticism:

'If it were evident that the High Command were blundering along, it would be the duty and obligation of the Government to intervene in the interests of national security. Some recent criticisms were made on what were only phases of the main events. Finally, unless public criticism is well based on vital factors it can only place a distinguished American soldier, who has come here to help us, in a most invidious position. If this is carried out to any great lengths on unsubstantial grounds, I forecast a grave reaction on American co-operation in this theatre.'

Responds to a question on replying to queries by trades unions conference that the Government should introduce compulsory unionism.

7.30 – 9.00 pm
Launches the Austerity Campaign from all Australian radio stations:

'He announced, in addition to sacrifices imposed by the Budget, decisions to reduce the number of racing, greyhound coursing, and trotting meetings and the limitation of hotel and café meals to three courses.'

Announces conclusion of reciprocal agreement on lend-lease negotiations. 194

Announces aid from and to the United States under the reciprocal lend-lease agreement.

Holds press conference in which he refuses to comment on a proposed visit to America, commenting that ‘I would not be going there to be banqueted’.

Attends meeting of War Cabinet, which prohibits members of the Naval, Army, and Air Forces receiving gifts, 'either in cash or kind, from the public in recognition of services rendered in the performance of their duty.'

Announces gift of cruiser HMS Shropshire to Royal Australian Navy.

Makes statements on:

• Proposed meeting with representatives of racing clubs, and use of manpower by sport.
• War Cabinet approval for the use of vitamised margarine.
• War Cabinet approval of an agreement with the Australian Red Cross Society for the establishment and management of convalescent homes.
• War Cabinet prohibition of acceptance of public gifts by members of the forces. 196

Holds press conference and comments on Admiral King’s [Commander-in-Chief US Fleet 1941-1945] visit to London, saying, ‘”It doesn’t auger much good to us.” He added that King was in London to see how much better Hitler could be fought and Stalin helped.

“It is going to be a long struggle for us to hold this place,” said Mr Curtin with some despondency. “We might have a 100 years’ war.”’

Delivers a stirring speech to the House on the topic of Australia’s place in the context of the war in other parts of the world. Stresses the importance of accepting the fact that Australia cannot rely on assistance from other nations when they are involved in other theatres of war. Then suggests that Australians must be prepared for .'.. constant application to the task of industry.'

Makes statements on:

• Allotment of quotas to National Savings Campaign Committees.
• Industrial matters and the inadvisability of allowing a weekend break.
• Manpower and the release of men from the Army.

Holds press conference which includes off-the-record background on the Madagascar operations pending a de Gaullist representative taking over the civil administration of the island.

Announces:

• An austerity order limiting meals supplied to the public in cafes, hotels and the like to three courses.
• The award of Victoria Cross to Private A S Gurney.

Makes statement on proposal to send a government representative to New Guinea. 199

Receives visits from 'union delegates, State Parliamentary delegates, brewery delegates, dairy delegates and lone wolf delegates.'

Receives visit from Arthur Mailey. [Daily and Sunday Telegraph sporting writer and cartoonist, who had been loaned to the government to help organise the Austerity campaign.]

Makes statement on necessity of preparedness of civilian population for war and austerity.

Holds press conference in which he ‘spoke in serious terms and without the touch of humour that invariably lightens his press conferences.’

Receives telephone call from General MacArthur warning that 'Moresby might be lost ' and requesting that General Blamey be sent there to take 'personal control of the battle.'

Attends meeting of Advisory War Council.

Denies that the Commonwealth Bank Board made statement relating to the budget or to the financial policy of the Government.

Defends Director General of Allied Works Council, E G Theodore, and expresses confidence in him.

Makes statements on:

• Further restrictive action in regard to racing.
• Compulsory unionism.
• Inadvisability of using compulsion in recruiting for Volunteer Defence Corps. 204

Holds press conference and announces that America and Britain had ‘rejected our further appeals for aid’.

Curtin said he was ‘”profoundly disturbed” at the replies from the Prime Minister and the President’ and ‘told the whole story today, reading us the secret cables from Bruce, Dixon and Roosevelt, and he is convinced that nothing can alter the decision, and that it would be useless for him to go to Washington. …

The Curtin interview lasted more than an hour. He reiterated that he was “profoundly disturbed” and he seemed glad to talk about his troubles.’

Announces terms of the ₤100,000,000 War and Conversion Loan.

Telephones General Blamey in Brisbane, reiterating previous order to go to Port Moresby.

[The visit resulted in an altercation between General Blamey and General Rowell, his subordinate, which resulted in General Rowell being relieved of his command.]

10.30 am? – 1.20 pm
Chairs meeting of Federal Parliamentary Labor Party.

Makes statements:

• Criticizing arrangement of a boxing match on a raceless Saturday.
• Indicating that no Ministry of Reconstruction would be established at this stage.
  
  And on:

• Compulsory unionism.
  
  Announces:

• Amendments to National Security (Supplementary) Regulations authorizing a State Premier to make provisions to conserve coal supplies.
• Appointment of Mr T P Hoey as State Publicity Censor in Victoria. 208

Attends annual election of officers of Canberra sub-district of the Australian Journalists Association.

Holds press conference which includes commentary on New Guinea and in which he reveals:

‘…that some months ago Darwin was 'bashed to pieces' by Japanese bombers. At that time they had reached a position where they would have been able to establish a bridgehead on Australian soil. However, the position had improved since then.’

During the second reading of the Women’s Employment Bill 1942, justifies his decision to continue the operation of the Women’s Employment Board as part of the war effort.

Expresses thanks to Australian Jockey Club for their consideration in 'coming to Canberra and frankly discussing the twin problem of the best interests of racing and the best interests of Australia in the present crisis.'

10.30 am? – 1.15 pm
Chairs meeting of Federal Parliamentary Labor Party and gives:

'a resume of the War position in the Pacific and on other fronts of an interesting and all embracing character.'
[The Australian Army had started a counter-offensive along the Kokoda trail on 25 September.]

Debate on the Women’s Employment Bill continues. Responds to some amendments proposed by the opposition particularly with respect to the composition of the Board.

Responds to continued questioning with respect to the composition of the Women’s Employment Board.

Makes statements on:

• Dispatch of parcels to prisoners of war through proper channels.
• The confidential report by Justice Lowe concerning the first raid on Darwin. 214

Announces:

• The Commonwealth Bank Bill 1942 referral to a special parliamentary committee.
• Pending prosecutions in cases of stoppages of work at coal mines. 215

JCPML. Records of the Curtin Family. Elsie Curtin with chauffeur Ray Tracey and "Dinah" the dog outside the Lodge 194? JCPML00376/17.

Holds press conference which includes comments on army administration in New Guinea, financial arrangements between the British and Australian Governments, and loss of shipping:

‘Since the beginning of the war the Allies have lost about 15 million tons of shipping (Curtin is not so sure if this includes naval losses, but he doesn’t think so.) This is about half the total we started with. He smiles a bit grimly when someone remarked that the old claim had been made again that building was overtaking sinkings.’

Later Curtin:

'Escapes briefly from a pile of official documents and cables' to examine a 'fowlhouse and run which is being built at The Lodge' by “Big Bill Tracey, the PM’s chauffeur, who is also a keen punter” who “elected with a grin to begin the job on Australia’s first raceless Saturday.

The PM sauntered down with a cigarette to view the work, and complimented the perspiring Tracy on his design and architecture.'

Announces Emergency Services appeal for additional voluntary workers. 216

First anniversary of prime ministership and Mrs Curtin’s birthday . Celebrates, together with Mrs Curtin, at a “small fireside party”

Makes national austerity loan broadcast.

'Mr Curtin’s appeal was supported by broadcast addresses from three other Dominion Prime Ministers.' 217

Presents relics of the London blitz of May, 1941, to the Speaker, Mr Nairn, 'for incorporation in the structure of the permanent Parliament House when it is built at Canberra.' … 'Mr Curtin said he regarded the relics as symbolic of the unbreakable tie existing between Australia and Britain.'

Makes statements on Full Cabinet consideration of:

• A report investigating man-power problems, dairy herds, the level of remuneration to producers and related matters in the dairy industry.
• A further reduction in newsprint rationing. 220

Mrs Elsie Curtin returns to Perth.

Makes statements on:

• The referral of Constitution Alteration (War Aims and Reconstruction) Bill to a special committee.
• Denying statement by the Australasian Council of Trade Unions that a change was planned in the basic wage.

Holds press conference at which there is:

‘an amazing outburst from Curtin against Sir Keith Murdoch over the latter’s article in the Melbourne Herald on Tuesday night in which he assailed Forde as Army Minister, and criticised Curtin’s war policy. He said:

Frankly this attack on Forde is silly and unfair. The basis of it was all wrong and what Sir Keith hopes to gain from it is hard to say. But I say it is no good for public morale. I do not like Sir Keith Murdoch. I do not trust him. He is utterly unscrupulous in the way he conducts his newspapers. … He is full of hot air and witlessness.’

Makes statement on preserving and protecting rights of recognized tradesmen after the war.

Proposes calling Parliament together before Christmas, foreshadows possible earlier sitting.

Adjournment of Parliament. 222

Attends public celebration of anniversary of prime ministership at a Australian Labor Party rally.

The audience ‘stood and cheered for several minutes’ on his arrival and when he rose to speak burst into "For He’s a Jolly Good Fellow".

Attends meeting of War Cabinet which approved expansion of Volunteer Air Observer Corps.

Makes statements on:

• War Cabinet authorization for Minister for Munitions to acquire and maintain reserve and emergency stocks of goods and materials not directly needed for the munitions production programme.
• Message received from British High Commissioner for the Western Pacific at Suva confirming reports of murder of missionaries at Guadalcanal.
• War Cabinet approval of an expansion of the Volunteer Air Observer Corps. 224

Holds press conference.

Pays tribute to merchant navies of the United Nations.

Makes statement re War Council expression of satisfaction on the state of the New Guinea campaign.

Reviews manpower commitments.

Makes statements on:

• Full Cabinet consideration of a report by the Minister for Commerce on plans for the conservation of fodder.
• The International Red Cross’s offer of mediation to the British and German Governments in connection with the chaining of prisoners of war.
• Legality of Women’s Employment Board.
• The provision of manpower for war purposes.
• The futility of NSW branch of ALP’s advocacy of an increase in race meetings.

The problems of war “leave me short of time, as it leaves the nation short of resources, to provide more tennis balls and added facilities for betting and drinking. Only dwellers in a world of illusion would think otherwise."

Announces:

• Full Cabinet decision to maintain the price of superphosphate for 1942-43 at previous level.
• Referral by Full Cabinet of report by the Parliamentary Repatriation Committee to a sub committee. 226

Announces:

• The appointment of Mr Beasley as Minister for Shipping.
• Full Cabinet decision to appoint Mr G T Chippindall as Director-General of the Department of War Organization of Industry. 227

Makes statement calling on Australians to observe the first Sundays of November and December, 1942, as Austerity Sundays.

Attends VDC March through Perth.

Announces that to conserve paper stocks and avoid expenditure no member of the Commonwealth Ministry would issue cards for Christmas, 1942. 231

Makes statement on comments by General MacArthur that:

Attends march through Perth on the occasion of the opening of the £1 000 000 Austerity Loan.

Opens Austerity Loan.

Makes statement on use of military forces outside the Commonwealth of Australia. 236

With Mrs Curtin, attends the wedding of their daughter Elsie, to Cottesloe dentist, J W Cole.

[Miss Elsie Curtin subsequently married Stan McLeod on 14 May 1945.] 237

Suffers attack of neuritis on train crossing the Nullarbor and stops in Adelaide to have diathermy treatment.

Makes statement indicating 'absolute confidence' in General MacArthur and Sir Thomas Blamey.

Broadcasts nationally to mark the eve of Armistice Day.

Makes statements on:

• Role of censorship.
• The success of the North African campaign should not lead to any diminution of the war effort.
• Quoting text of letter praising fighting prowess of division, from the Commander of the 30th Corps in the Middle East to the Commander of the Ninth Australian Imperial Force Division. 243

Announces:

• Resignation of Mr Scullin from the Press Censorship Advisory Committee, and personally takes over chairmanship of that committee.
• Announces meeting of Parliament on 10 December.

Sends message to Commander of the 30th Corps in the Middle East expressing admiration for handling of offensive.

Makes statements on:

• War Cabinet consideration of compensation for members of the women’s auxiliaries.
• War Cabinet consideration of salvage of materials.
• War Cabinet consideration of responsibility and eligibility for war graves.
• War Cabinet decision to gazette a National Security Regulation to enable the effective prosecution of rumour-mongers. 244

Attends ALP Conference.

Responds to resolution by Australian Newspaper Proprietors' Association Conference on the suppression of information.

Makes statements on:

• Visit by General Sir Thomas Blamey to New Guinea, and on the New Guinea campaign.
• Establishment of an Engineering Industry Man Power Committee. 248

Holds press conference – the first in Canberra for a month. ‘The entire interview was occupied by discussion on the “one army” proposal.'

Makes statements on:

• Allied offensive and use of militia.
• International Red Cross efforts to acquire information on prisoners-of-war held by Japan. 249

Holds press conference at which he announces that ‘negotiations for the return of the 9th Division from the Middle East had been successful. The division would return as soon as the date of departure and transport could be arranged.’

Attends meeting of Full Cabinet.

Opens Federal Constitution Convention and gives speech of welcome on behalf of Commonwealth Government.

Announces award of Knight Commander of the Order of the Bath (KCB) to Lieutenant-General Sir Leslie Moreshead, commander of the Ninth Division, Australian Imperial Force, in the Middle East. 251

7.30 pm
Attends meeting of NSW executive of the official Labour Party, paying a 'special visit' to Sydney to do so.

Attends Constitutional Convention.

Holds press conference which covers the slowness of the Allied advance in New Guinea. Curtin also replies to complaints of delay in the transmission of press cables.

‘Curtin said that his own cables are held up in some cases by 28 hours. The congestion on the transmission lines both externally and internally was very great. [Postmaster-General] Ashley had told him he didn’t know how the Post Office was going to handle the flood of Christmas greetings.’

Makes statements on:

• Investigation of Social Security Schemes by Government sub-committee – completion of preliminary survey on all aspects of social planning.
• Observance of 'Austerity Sundays' and austerity campaign. 257

Makes national radio broadcast reviewing the events of the last year.

'I can promise you no smoother path, no easing of restrictions and deprivations, no departure from the stern demands of duty.'

Makes statement on the policy of the ALP and use of militia in the war with Japan.

'It is not feasible for me to be a good Labour man when I conscript men for Rabaul and New Guinea and to become a `suspect' Labour man when doing the same thing in respect to Timor. As both places are vital to the one strategy of the one cause, they can be met by only one policy.' 258

Holds press conference and replies to:

'whispered comments said to have come from Americans in Australia that Australian tanks were a “joke”. Curtin read from a secret report dated 16 November which showed not only that remarkable progress had been made but that tanks were being made by Australians which were superior to Rommel’s, particularly in gunpower.’

Attends meeting of War Cabinet which gave approval for increases in the rate of subsistence allowance to members of the Army and RAAF living away from home.

Makes statement decrying 'bootleg' bookmaking and betting.

'On a recent Saturday afternoon I was held up on the phone. I was telephoning a State Premier. The call was put in by my staff, which then left. I was working and then noticed that some time had elapsed. I thought the call had been a long time and rang the exchange. I understand that there were 60 calls ahead of me. I learned subsequently that most of them were betting calls. I told the exchange to put everybody off the line. Somebody lost money that day.'

Makes statement on War Cabinet approval of:

• Compensation for injuries for accredited civilian camoufleurs.
• Increases in the subsistence allowance to members of the Army and Royal Australian Air Force living away from home.
• The exhibition in Australia of a collection of war paintings by Australian and British official war artists.

Sends message of appreciation to Generalissimo Chiang Kai-Shek on the first anniversary of the outbreak of the Pacific War, for:

Holds press conference which includes comments on reciprocal lend-lease.

Chairs meeting of Federal Parliamentary Labor Party and makes statement in which he proposes that the conscripted AMF and the AIF should be merged and deployed in the south-west Pacific area, and not merely in Australia.

Receives message of response sending 'warm greetings and good wishes' from Generalissimo Chiang Kai-Shek of China.

At the commencement of a special two day sitting of Parliament to consider the war situation, provides a review of activities in the major theatres of war with particular reference to the implications for Australia.

Moves that his statement on the war be printed.

Makes statements on:

• Allied war planning.
• Pacific strategy and the provision of the forces and supplies

Chairs 'Special meeting' of Federal Parliamentary Labor Party.

Makes statements on:

• Personal consideration of the general position of the Allied Works Council.
• Denying rumours of a planned general election.

At the conclusion of the special sitting, thanks the Opposition and the members of his own Government for their support in difficult times.

Holds press conference and is ‘extremely worried over the shipping position. He read a very illuminating cable from London on the subject.

Attends meeting of War Cabinet.

Makes statement on the use of militia:

'My position as a Labour man is clear and decisive. The Commonwealth Labour Conference decided that the total resources of the nation should be used for the defence of Australia. It decided there should be compulsory service for this purpose.

The defence of Australia is being fought now on an outer screen of islands adjacent to the mainland. Being pledged to defend Australia, I find its defence involves these islands and, therefore, our total resources should be available for that purpose - not some of our resources, but all of them.'

Announces institution in Commonwealth aircraft and munitions factories of joint Production Consultative and Advisory Committees.

Makes statements:

• Congratulating the country on the 'epochal achievement' of over-subscribing to the £100,000,000 austerity loan.
• On Full Cabinet approval to increase company’s share of assets in the oil-field at Lakes Entrance (Victoria).
• On War Cabinet consideration of the Restriction of Employment (Domestic Servants) Order, which aimed “to divert labour-power wastefully employed in domestic service to war activities.”

Announces:

• Decision of Full Cabinet to provide £15,000 for an Australian-wide nutritional educational programme during the next twelve months.
• Decision of Full Cabinet to suspend scheme providing free passages for wives of members of the forces who have married abroad, until after the war.
• Lifting of prohibitions on the Communist Party and its press. 267

Under National Security Regulations appoints Sir Harry Percy Brown to inquire into the administration of the Allied Works Council.

Announces appointment of Victorian State Censor (Mr T P Hoey) as the censorship authority for films, radio and press.

Makes statement on application of Restriction of Employment (Domestic Servants) Order.

'Is it a fair thing that I should, as a private citizen, commandeer for my exclusive use the services of a person required for the general war effort?

Announces:

• Appointment of Mr J B Chifley as Minister for Post-war Reconstruction.
• Change of name of portfolio of Commerce to Commerce and Agriculture.
• Government’s adoption of a Tariff Board recommendation that the dairy subsidy be distributed on a flat-rate basis to butter and cheese producers.

Makes statement on Full Cabinet consideration and endorsement of a report on the operations of the Production Executive of Cabinet and of the Department of War Organization of Industry. The report surveyed the measures introduced to organize the Australian economy for war over the twelve months since the establishment of Production Executive.

'Mrs Curtin and Elsie are at Perth, Jack is at Adelaide & I am at Canberra. Tough!'

Receives letter of thanks from Robert Menzies him for the ‘many personal courtesies ‘ extended to him during the year.

Telephones Mrs Menzies to wish the family ‘a good Xmas’.

Broadcasts New Year’s message:

Reiterates austerity theme and asking Australians to make selflessness 'the guiding factor in everything that comes to pass', warning that if they did not do so they would 'fail not only ourselves and our children' but would 'fail in the face of an enemy who has no regard for the Christian way of life and all that 1942 years of Christianity has stood for. 'Though seeing “a hard road” ahead he hoped that “with God’s blessing, 1943 will be a better, a more victorious, year than was 1942.'

Receives and responds to messages from:

• President Roosevelt asking that best wishes and greetings of the season be sent to the armed and auxiliary forces and their families with 'a fervent hope and prayer for a speedy and complete victory and a lasting peace.
• Mr MacKenzie King extending 'cordial greetings and warm good wishes for the New Year.'

Responds to:

• A press report that British-Australian relations could be better and that the gift of the Shropshire had not been received as warmly in Australia as it might have been.
• Positively, a press report urging visit to Australia by British Minister.

Presents:

• New Year message asking that:

'The nation, as a new year opens, to take stock of itself and resolve that selflessness shall be the guiding factor in everything that come to pass. For, with that as a basis our strength cannot be denied however the enemy may assail us. But if there be weakness, our prospects in 1943 will diminish.'

Comments on American press statements supporting further United States aid to Australia.

Makes statement on the volume and delivery of Christmas telegrams. 274