“COMMUNISM ON DEFENSIVE”

Press, Volume LXXXVI, Issue 26196, 21 August 1950, Page 6

“COMMUNISM ON DEFENSIVE”

VIEWS OF AUSTRALIAN PRIME MINISTER PRESS CONFERENCE AT AUCKLAND (New Zealand Press Association) AUCKLAND, August 20. “In the western world, which includes ourselves; Communism as an organised movement Is .y® ry A “Vrai the defensive, said the Australian Prime Minister (Mr Menzies) at a press conference this evening. # . “It is quite true that opinions vary in different countries .as to how one should deal with it,” Mr Menzies said. “We by legislation introduced in tne last session of Parliament, sought, to deal with the matter in a pretty direct fashion. Our legislation at the moment is laid aside alter certain vicissitudes in the Senate. We have an Upper House in Australia,” Mr Menzies added in an aside to the New Zealand Prime Minister (Mr Holland). . Mr Holland, with a smile: I have heard of it. . “When our Parliament resumes next month three months will have expired since the measure was laid aside m June and we will reintroduce our legislation,” Mr Menzies said. The Senate will then have to determine what it will do. Should it reject it or unacceptably amend it, we will be in the position under our Constitution to seek the dissolution of both Houses. “I found in most of the countries I visited a good deal of interest in the bill, and perhaps some misunderstandings of it,” he said. “I should therefore point out that the bill does three things. First, it outlaws the Communist Party and satellite bodies. Secondly it provides that under certain conditions Communists whose activities are prejudicial to the safety and defence of the country are to be excluded from Commonwealth employment, and third, that Communists of the same description are to be excluded from office in industrial organisations in industries which are key industries from the point of view of the, safety and defence of the country. “In both Canada and the United States they are watching with great interest what is happening in Australia. These are no easy matters, and I think they are interested to see what happens when one democratic country attacks the matter on these lines. No doubt your own Prime Minister is watching with a great deal of interest.”

Mr Holland: Indeed I am. There is nothing we will watch more closely than this Australian legislation. Mr Menzies and Mr Holland, with members of their party, will leave Whenuapai for Paraparaumu to-mor-row. Mr Menzies will stay at Government House. The Australian Prime Minister will call on the Mayor of Wellington (Sir William Appleton) in che afternoon. He may also visit the office of the Australian High Commissioner (Mr A. R. Cutler. V.C.) and later will again be with Mr Holland. A meeting with members of the Cabinet is Mr Menzies’ first official engagement on Tuesday. Later he will be given a State luncheon at Parliament House and in the afternoon * will return to Auckland by air. He will leave for Sydney by air on Wednesday morning, after a final call on the Mayor of Auckland (Sir John Allum).

RECENT WORLD EVENTS

EFFECT ON WESTERN DEMOCRACIES IMPRESSIONS OF MR MENZIES (New Zealand Press Association) AUCKLAND, August 20. “I do not think the people of the Western world are afraid to-day, but they are very concerned. The events of the last two months have* had a stirring effect on the Western democracies, and I include yours and mine.” This is one of the main impressions gained in the course of a six-week tour of the major world capitals by the Prime Minister of Australia (Mr Menzies), who arrived at Auckland this evening from Japan. “There is a very much more acute realisation that there are dangers in the world and they will have to be prepared against. I rather think there will be a greater public disposition to accept burdens than one might have expected to find six months ago,” Mr Menzies said.

Mr Menzies spoke of his world tour at a press conference. The New Zealand Prime Minister (Mr Holland) also attended, and from time to time was asked by Mr. Menzies to comment on his views. Although Mr Menzies had travelled hard for six weeks, and had visited Singapore, Ceylon. Pakistan, Egypt, Rome, London, Washington, Ottawa, and Tokyo, he showed little sign of weariness.

On two subjects Mr Menzies would make no comment. The first was the military situation in Korea, and the arrangements for the Anzac force. These, he said, were matters being dealt with by the Acting-Minister of Defence in Australia (Mr P. A. McBride) and the service Chiefs. The second subject was the financial, background to his talks in London and Washington.

“I am a clam,” was his reply to an inquiry about a dollar loan. “In the United States, talking to the President, his principal associates, and members of Congress. I found the fact that Australian and New Zealand forces had been quickly on the spot in the Far East had created a most tremendous impression,” said Mr Menzies. “We have a better opportunity to-day to develop very intimate understandings with the United States than we have had for some time. Your people in New Zealand, like mine in Australia, may be assured that what has been done, although intrinsically limited as it mqst be in the nature of things, has been very warmly appreciated.” During his journey he had had high level talks in many countries, said Mr Menzies. He was now looking forward to a very close exchange of ideas with Mr Holland. After these confidential discussions, there would follow elaborate discussions with the Australian Cabinet.

“However, I am prepared to say, if it is not boasting, that I have learned quite a lot in the last few weeks,” he said.

During his visit to Japan Mr Menzies had a two-hour discussion with General MacArthur, and he was accompanied during his stay by Lieuten-ant-General Sir Horace Robertson, Commander of the British, Commonwealth Occupation Forces. His main reason for visiting the country was to see the Australians serving there.