AUSTRALIAN BILL TO DEAL WITH COMMUNISM CAUSES MUCH INTEREST

Wanganui Chronicle, 21 August 1950, Page 5

AUSTRALIAN BILL TO DEAL WITH COMMUNISM CAUSES MUCH INTEREST

AUCKLAND. Last Night (P.A.) “In the . western world, which includes ourselves, Communism, as an organised movement, is very much on the defensive," said the Australian Prime Minister, Mr. Menzies, at a press conference tonight. “It is quite true opinions vary In different countries as to how one should deal with it. We, by legislation introduced in the last session of Parliament, sought to deal with the matter in a pretty direct .fashion. Our legislation at the moment is laid aside after certain vicissitudes in the Senate.

"We have an Upper House in Australia," Mr. Menzies added in an aside to the New Zealand Prime Minister, Mr. Holland. Mr. Holland, with a smile: “I have heard of it." “When our Parliament resumes next month, three months will have expired since the measure was laid aside in June and we will reintroduce our legislation,” Mr. Menzies continued. “The Senate will then have to determine what it will do. Should it reject it or unacceptably amend it, we will be a position, under our constitution, to seek a dissolution of both Houses. “I found in most countries I visited a good deal of interest in the Bill and perhaps some misunderstandings of it. I should, therefore, point out that the Bill does three things: (1) “It outlaws the Communist Party and satellite bodies.

(2) "It provides that under certain conditions Communists whose activities are prejudicial to the safety and defence of the country are to be excluded from Commonwealth employment.

“(3) That Communists of the same description are to be excluded from office In Industrial organisations in industries which are key industries from the point of view of the safe, Y and defence of the country.

■Tn both Canada and the United States they are watching with great interest what is happening In Australia. These are no easy matters, and I think they are Interested to see what happens when one democratic country attacks the matter on these lines. No doubt your own Prime Minister is watching with a great deal of interest.” Mr Holland: Indeed, I am. There is nothing we will watch more closely than this Australian legislation. Mr Menzies and Mr Holland, with members of their party, will leave Whenuapai for Paraparaumu tomor•row. Mr Menzies will stay at Government House. The Australian Prime Minister will call on the Mayor of Wellington, Sii William Appleton, in the afternoon. He may also visit the office of the Australian High Commissioner and later will again be with Mr Holland. A meeting with members of Cabinet is Mr Menzies' first official engagement on Tuesday. Later he will be given a State luncheon at Parliament House, and in the afternoon will return to Auckland by air. He will leave for Sydney by air on Wednesday morning, after a final call on the Mayor of Auokland, Sir John Allum.