TALKS DENIED

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22513, 17 December 1947, Page 8

TALKS DENIED

BANK NATIONALISATION EFFECT ON NEW ZEALAND MR. CHIFLEY RETICENT (P.A.) AUCKLAND, Dec. 16. Asked whether he would discuss with the Prime Minister, Mr. P. Fraser, the effects of the Australian bank nationalisation plans upon the New Zealand branches of the banks, the Prime Minister of Australia, Mr. J. B. Chifley, said that no arrangements had been made to do so. “I have no knowledge of any impending discussions either on a Ministerial or official level,” he said. “When you talk of banking it must ba remembered that I am one of the nominal defendants in the application to the High Court for an injunction. In the first place I do not want to make any comment, and in the second place it would be improper for me to do so at this stage.’’ Referring to a temporary injunction granted in the High Court yesterday by Mr. Justice Dixon, Mr. Chifley said he had understood that it was agreed that that procedure would be followed. The recent return to Australia of Sir William Webb, presiding judge at the war criminal trials in Tokyo, had nothing to do with the fact that the High Court was hearing the application for, an injunction on the banking proposals. : Sir William was now back in Japan. The reason for his return to Australia • was that it was considered he had been; away for a long time and it was desir-j able that he should again take his place j on the Bench in Australia. This was the opinion in judicial quarters. !