Untitled

Press, 12 July 1984, Page 12

proliferation of weapons. Dangers to health and to the environment from uranium mining have also been raised. Although the arguments against mining have been fewer, they can sound very appealing. The national conference may have been influenced by an opinion poll conducted in six key electorates round Australia in May and June. This showed that only 33 per cent of Australians polled believed that a ban on uranium mining would help stop a nuclear war. Seventy-five per cent believed it would not. Even 54 per cent of Labour voters believed that a ban on mining would not reduce the possibility of war. Within the Labour Party the vote has profound significance. Mr Hawke led the prouranium mining faction, but he would not have been able to have his way without the votes of the Centre-Left faction led by the Foreign Minister, Mr Bill Hayden. The Left faction of the party was opposed to the mining. The voting marked the emergence of what is being called the Centre-Left faction as a force to be reckoned with in the party. Mr Hawke may have to take greater account of the group’s views and may, in time, distance himself from the Right wing of the party. Mr Hayden has come out of the vote as a much more powerful figure. The Left always claims that it is in touch with the grass-roots opinion in the party. It is likely to be bitter about its defeat on uranium mining and may seek greater support among ordinary party members. In doing this it may heighten public feeling over nuclear issues. The uranium question may yet prove to have the potential to divide Labour Party supporters. Even if it does not, Mr Hawke has been rescued by Mr Hayden’s supporters when it seemed possible he would be defeated on an important policy question. The Prime Minister has incurred obligations and other changes in party policy may be expected when he is required to honour those obligations.

young carpenter was taking ?6 a week more in his pay packet than I was. I wondered at the time how the Prime Minister would have liked it if the Leader of the Opposition was being' paid $6 a week more than him. — Yours, etc., ROSS WINCHESTER. July 9, 1984.