Australian Labour Refuses Action Against Communism

Greymouth Evening Star, 7 April 1948, Page 5

Australian Labour Refuses Action Against Communism

(Rec. 12.45 p.m.) CANBERRA, This Day. The Federal Parliamentary Labour caucus decided, almost unanimously, late last night not to take action to suppress the Communist Party. By an overwhelming majority the party rejected a motion by Mr S. M. Falstein for the appointment of a party committed to investigate subversive groups. The decision was made after the Prime Minister, Mr Chifley, and the Attorney-General, Dr Evatt, had out-1 lined the steps taken by the security service to checkiCommunist activities.' Both are reported to have assured ‘ the caucus that if Communism threatened to become a menace to, Australia action would be taken : against the party. Only five members spoke in support of Mi* Falstein, and these emphasised that the motion was aimed) as much at Right Wing organisations' of the New Guard type as against, Leftists. I Mr Chifley had told members that if they forgot the Labour Party itself | had been built on the efforts of ipin-; orities they would be denying xdemocracy, which had allowed their party to grow. ' Dr Evatt quoted reports to show, that the security branch had the matter in hand and that the security officers claimed that they could round up all dangerous Communists in 24 hours.