REFERENDUM ON TESTS

Press, Volume XCV, Issue 28264, 30 April 1957, Page 13

REFERENDUM ON TESTS

Menzies Rejects Proposal (Rec. 8 p.m.) CANBERRA, April 29. Australia’s Prime Minister (Mr Menzies) today rejected a suggestion by the Federal Opposition Leader (Dr. H. V. Evatt) that the Government should hold a referendum to ascertain whether the Australian public wanted nuclear tests continued. Mr Menzies said a decision on the problem required a great deal of knowledge which was not common property and a great deal of scientific advice which could not be equally known to all citizens. “When you have - a problem of that kind, governments have to accept responsibility for their decisions and attitudes,” he added. Challenging Mr Menzies yesterday to hold the referendum. Dr. Evatt said opinion was hardening everywhere in a demand to stop nuclear tests. He quoted leading scientists and churchmen as condemning the tests. Dr. Evatt also said Mr Menzies had no right to say Australia was not opposed to the Christmas Island tests. Dr. Evatt, who was - addressing the annual conference of the women’s central organising committee of the Australian Labour Party, claimed that the referendum would show that Australians were against the tests. Common sense demanded action and unanimity among the nations of the world to halt nuclear tests, he said.