Thanks very much Jim. I've been looking forward to the release of the book, and I'm hoping to be able to pick up a copy this morning.
The articles below may also be of interest: http://www.smh.com.au/news/national/churchill-led-me-to-politics-keating/200 8/10/30/1224956238462.html http://news.smh.com.au/national/rudd-keating-at-war-over-gallipoli-20081031- 5ezt.html In particular this quote from former Australia Labor Party Prime Minister Paul Keating: "The inspiration for my entry into public life, and into the Labor Party itself, came from Churchill. It didn't come from [Jack] Lang or [John] Curtin, or anyone else. It came from Churchill." Keating's great political rival, former Liberal PM John Winston Howard, was also a great admirer of WSC. Nick -----Original Message----- From: [email protected] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of jimlancaster Sent: Friday, 31 October 2008 8:47 PM To: [email protected] Subject: [ChurchillChat] Re: Menzies and Churchill at War Nick Buttner, Thanks for the link to the film Menzies and Churchill at War. Had no idea that Menzies was a home-movie buff. Some excellent footage. Regarding your question about Churchill doing everything possible to prevent Menzies returning to England, it is possible that Graham Freudenberg's recently published book Churchill and Australia might throw some light. I have not read this book (it was only released a few days ago) but I would be surprised if it does not refer to WSC's note to Menzies on 19 August 1941: Prime Minister to Prime Minister of Australia 19 Aug 41 I heed not say that should you be able to pay us another visit as Prime Minister your presence at our councils for as long as you are able to stay would be most welcome. We shall welcome all Dominion Prime Ministers who will in this way share our responsibilities. It would not be possible for a Dominion Minister other than the Prime Minister to sit in the War Cabinet, as representation of all four Dominions would then be involved, resulting in too large a permanent addition to our members; this in turn would entail far-reaching structural changes which are not in contemplation. My inquiries suggest that there would be no chance of the other Dominions agree-ing to a Minister from a single Dominion representing them in the War Cabinet. I hope you will bear these points in mind when making your plans. Kindest regards. Menzies resigned on August 28, and his deputy Mr Fadden took over as Prime Minister. On the 29th WSC sent a long note to Mr Fadden concerning the representation of the Prime Ministers of the Dominions in the War Cabinet. This important communication is included as Appendix H in volume III of The Second World War pp 758-60. Jim Lancaster --~--~---------~--~----~------------~-------~--~----~ You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "ChurchillChat" group. To post to this group, send email to [email protected] To unsubscribe from this group, send email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/ChurchillChat?hl=en -~----------~----~----~----~------~----~------~--~---
