Second World War

The article welcomes the **Atlantic Charter of 1941**, agreed by Winston Churchill and Franklin D. Roosevelt, as a major statement of Anglo-American war aims and principles for the post-war world. It emphasises continued American support for Britain, international economic co-operation, improved living and labour standards, disarmament of aggressor nations and opposition to territorial conquest. The article also stresses the Charter's relevance to Japanese expansion in the Far East and presents it as the basis for closer British, American and Russian co-operation against the Axis powers.
 

More than 600 mainly Javanese seamen in Sydney refused to sail their vessels, leading to mass arrests and prosecutions for being absent without leave or disobeying their masters. Many declared that they wanted to return to Java and chose imprisonment rather than comply, with 130 men each fined £10 or sentenced to 20 days in gaol. The dispute caused serious concern about disruption to Netherlands East Indies shipping and required extensive police intervention.
 

More than 40 Italian prisoners of war were employed on farms in the Coonabarabran district to ease wartime labour shortages, with numbers expected to double. While local farmers reportedly praised the prisoners' work and conduct, the scheme drew criticism from some who argued that Australian servicemen with farming experience should have been released to work the land instead.

A Sydney company director petitioned for divorce, alleging that his wife had committed adultery with an Italian prisoner of war employed on his family's farm near Oberon. The wife denied the allegation, while the prisoner admitted to acts of familiarity but denied adultery. Evidence was heard from the farm manager and the case was adjourned for further hearing.