EXPELLED RUSSIAN

Press, Volume CII, Issue 30055, 13 February 1963, Page 8

EXPELLED RUSSIAN

“Propaganda Trick” (N.Z.P.A.-Reuter—Copyright) DARWIN, February 11. A member of the Federal Labour Opposition’s "shadow Cabinet” last night described Australia’s expulsion of the Soviet diplomat, Ivan Skripov, on espionage charges, as a “propaganda trick” by the Government to try to force an election. Mr Allan Fraser, a senior member of the Federal Parliamentary Labour Party’s executive, was speaking on his weekly television broadcast. It was the first statement on the Skripov incident by a senior Labour member. Mr Fraser said: “My comments on the espionage case are based on the conviction that the Government and its supporters are using all the propaganda tricks to whip up a hate-Russia, red-baiting atmosphere to strengthen the grip of secret police over ordinary citizens, to frighten all Government critics, to smear Opposition members who dare speak out, and to spring an election if the right atmosphere can be created.” The Liberal-Country Party Coalition has a majority in the House of Representatives of one seat.

Mr Fraser said: “I suggest that the outraged Russian denial of the spy plot can entirely be disregarded. It carries no weight, because whether the charge is true or false the denial would be exactly the same. Every country engages in spying and every country denies it.” Mr Fraser said his concern was that Australian authorities “have so grossly over-played their part in building sensationalism of this affair that they are making people laugh instead of taking it seriously enough."

Theft from Safe.— The sum of £4 was stolen from an unlocked safe when the Linwood High School, Aidwins road, was broken into on Mondav night.