DANGER OF ESPIONAGE

Wanganui Chronicle, 8 March 1947, Page 5

DANGER OF ESPIONAGE

AUSTRALIA MARSHALS FORCES AGAINST COMMUNISM

Recd. 9.10 p m. Canberra, March 7. Revelations of Australia’s mobilisation against espionage, with particular reference to the tests of rocket-propelled weapons of atomic variety, were made my the deputy Prime Minister (Dr. Evatt) in the House of Representatives to-day.

He declared that the Commonwealth Security Service was being strengthened, and, that in liaison with military intelligence it would do everything possible to prevent a repitition of the Soviet spy ring activities, which were uncovered by a Royal Commission in Canada. Extraordinary precautions were being taken to ensure that it would be impossible for a foreign Power to learn the rocket secrets, or details of associated experiments.

Dr. Evatt was replying to a demand by Mr- Abbott (Country Party) for a Royal Commission of Inquiry into Communist activity in Governmentcontrolled ’scientific activities. Mr. Abbott charged that the Public Service and Government scientific agencies were “red anted” with Communists. Heading an Opposition move for increased supervision of people who might be in a position to pass on information to foreign Powers, he moved an adjournment of Parliament to ask for adequate precautions against the leakage of secrets. Declaring that he was in complete accord with Mr. Abbott, on the need for the greatest possible precautions, Dr. Evatt said: “It is vital to the defence of Australia and the British Commonwealth that the secrets of projectile experiments in Central Australia should not reach a foreigh Power. In taking precautions we are not offering aggression to anyone- It is a defensive measure, and we do not apologise to anyone for it.”

Atomic bomb developments with their threat of wholesale destruction, had forced the British Commonwealth to undertake scientific defensive experiments.

Central Australia had been selected, because it was the only part ot the Empire which possessed such space.

Dealing with the Canadian revelations; a report of which was tabled in the House, Dr. Evatt said: “The way an employee of the Soviet Embassy in Ottawa was treated by the other employees of the embassy after he handed information to the police showed ruthlessness, almost desperation, which was very striking. A great warning was involved in this.”

He agreed that the opssibility of members of the Communist organisation handing over secrets to Soviet Russia could not be overlooked. Security officers had reported that, so far, nothing untoward had happened, but they agreed with the necessity of redoubling precautions against the possible abuse of citizenship- The Security service would be strengthened, and the law respecting official secrets tightened up.

The issue was whether the Communists were so treacherous that they would hand over defence secrets to a foreign Power. After Russia came into the war the Communist Party assisted the war effort, Mr. Spender: Not because they were assisting Russia. ,Dr. Evatt: There have been serious developments Lately in conection with industrial disputes based upon political demands. I think that might reach intolerable proportions. The Canadian revelations showed taht Communists did, contribute to the disastrous result. It shows a need for taking extraordinary precautions against that happening In Australia.” He did not answer a specific demand for a Royal Commission inquiry, but said that a highly secret document, prepared two years ago on Communist organisations, showed that Commonwealth departments were alive to the danger.