ATTACK ON DR. EVATT

Press, Volume XCI, Issue 27639, 21 April 1955, Page 13

ATTACK ON DR. EVATT

“Subservience To Communism” (N.Z. Press Association—Copyright) (Rec. 11 p.m.) CANBERRA, April 20. A surprise move for the adjournment of the House of Representatives today to discuss allegations of the acceptance by the Labour Party of money from Communist sources brought into public discussion the issues splitting the Australian Labour Party. One of the Victorian members of the House (Mr William Bourke), wU with six others comprise the newly formed anti-Communist Labour Party, moved the adjournment “to discuss the subservience of the Leader of the Opposition and his followers to the Communist Party as evidenced by his acceptance of a large sum of money from Communist sources into the funds of the party led by him.” Mr Bourke said that proof of the i subservience” was the acceptance by the Australian Labour Party of £13,000 from the Communist Party for the Communist referendum fund in 195 L Mr Bourke said most of the supporters of Dr. Evatt were outside the House of Representatives and outside the Labour Party. Dr. Evatt, said Mr Bourke, would “go down in history as the man who wrecked the Labour Party and as the Communist Party’s best friend.” Mr Bourke said a study of the record—the honeycombing of the Department of External Affairs by avowed Communists, the remarkable appearances before Royal Commissions and Courts by Dr. Evatt had culminated in wrecking the Labour Party. He had come to the conclusion that the Communists “had something.” He continued that he had made this charge in caucus, but it remained unanswered.

“The Communist Party is able to pul] the strings or call the tune and make him dance —they are able to exert pressure on him,” said Mr Bourke. When a Labour Opposition member, Mr Daniel Curtin, shouted “Judas,” Mr Speaker threatened to-name members interjecting in such terms. Mr Bourke related to the House details given him by a Labour member, Mr Kim Beazley, as told to Mr Beazley by Senator Kennelly of negotiations between Senator Kehnelly and the secretary of the Victorian Communist Party, Mr Ted Hill, for the payment of the money and its transfer to the custody of Dr. Evatt for party funds. Mr Bourke charged Dr. Evatt with preventing the discussion of money in caucus, and challenged him to produce the party books. “Wicked and False” The Opposition leader, Dr. Evatt, speaking with emotion, said Mr Bourke’s allegations were “absolutely wicked and false.” Turning to Mr Bourke, Dr. Evatt said in a stern voice: “You ought to be completely ashamed of yourself.” “Never at any time has money been received from the Communist Party.” Dr. Evatt declared. He added that Senator Kennelly had assured him he had never received anything or made any arrangement. (Government laughter.) « Dr. Evatt, in an angry tone, asked: Are members of the Government so eager to further the coalition with this breakaway group? Dr. Evatt. pointing to Mr Bourke, said: “This is the man who makes the charges and says that because the person charged does not prove them untrue you m-ist accept them as truth.” Dr. Evatt said that this was the doctrine of the Anti-Communist Bill of 1951. which put the onus of proof on the person charged.

A caucus meeting of the Australian Labour Party today deferred until May 4 the move to declare vacant all party positions with the exception of that of the leader, and to hold fresh ballots. Dr. Evatt was re-elected leader at a pre-sessional meeting of the party. It had been intended to put the party posts to the ballot today, but Mr Edward Whitlam. a House of Representatives back-bencher, deferred his motion by agreement.