NEHRU NO SUPPORTER OF WHITE AUSTRALIAEVATT’S MISTAKE

Grey River Argus, 28 February 1949, Page 5

NEHRU NO SUPPORTER OF WHITE AUSTRALIA—EVATT’S MISTAKE

(Rec. 9.30) CANBERRA, Feb. 27. Rt. Hon. Dr H. V. Evatt, Minister of External Affairs, has left Australia for London. He went three days ahead of his schedule to call on Pandit Nehru, Indian Premier, in New Delhi, with a personal explanation. It is learned, authoritatively, that Dr Evatt has already apologised to Mr Nehru for his statement in the Australian House of Representatives on February 9, that Mr Nehru supported the White Australia policy. Press correspondents say that a diplomatic “incident” between India and Australia was averted only by the promptness of Dr Evatt’s apology. It is understood that Mr Nehru’s view is that the White Australia policy is justifiable only if its aim is economic rather than racial. Bold Raids for Arms Near Calcutta Believed to be Communist Job (Rec. 5.30) ' CALCUTTA, Feb. 26. The entire West Bengal police force has been placed under emergency orders, following raids which were made on an ammunition factory, on large British-owned engineering workshops, and on two police stations in Calcutta. In the raid on the engineering factory, three employees are reported to have been killed. Two are missing. Seven were wounded.

Officially described as “subversive elements,” the raiders are believed to have been Communists, who were anxious to replenish their stocks of arms and of ammunition. The first raid was on the Dumdum airfield. About a dozen armed men who arirved in two taxis, tossed grenades at sentries there. They then stole seven rifles.

While this attack was being made, another group, armed with Sten guns, attacked the engineering factory, near the aerodrome. The Anglo-Indian foreman of the factory was stabbed to death. His assistant was wounded.

Two charred, unidentified bodies have been found in the factory’s furnace. Two officers, who are believed to be Europeans, are missing. Later, two police stations on the outskirts of Calcutta were raided.