Threat to release Cabinet papers

Press, Volume CXII, Issue 32810, 10 January 1972, Page 12

Threat to release Cabinet papers

(N.Z. Press Aisn— CopyriflhO SYDNEY, Jan. 9. The former Leader of the Opposition in Australia, Mr Arthur Calwell, has threatened to reveal contents of war-time Cabinet papers in his possession unless the Australian Government - makes its war papers availZ able to the public. Z Mr Calwell, who was Minister for Information from 1943 to 1949, made his threat m an article today in the national newspaper, the "Sunday Australian.” Z Commenting on the release - by the British Government of British Cabinet records from the war years, Mr Calwell said he had asked the Prime Minister in 1965, Sir Robert Menzies, to lower the 50year delay for publication of official documents to 30 years, and he also raised the matter with Mr Harold Wilson in London, in 1967. "Australia should urge the publication of all the relevant documents,” Mr Calwell said. “The only possible reason for not disclosing all the facts is that the reputation of some members of the Establishment, both Church and State, must continue to be protected, even 30 years after the tragic event.” He said Australians were

not the “tough, invincible people we try to persuade ourselves we are, and the complete story of 1941 to 1943 will prove it.” He added: “If I think it is in the public interest that I should reveal the contents of my Cabinet documents, I will do so.” Mr Calwell said that if he had any doubts about anything he wished to publish he would consult the Prime Minister (Mr McMahon), or the Minister of Foreign Affairs (Mr Nigel Bowen).