ONE OF COMMUNIST "BIG THREE" SUSPENDED BY PARTY

Chronicle (Levin), 9 January 1947, Page 5

ONE OF COMMUNIST "BIG THREE" SUSPENDED BY PARTY

Press Assn.

N.S.W. MINERS' LEADER HlSCIFLlNErr

By Telegraph

.-Copyriaht

Received Wednesday, 9.50 p.m, SYDNEY, Jaii. 8. Mr. Harold Wells, retiriflg presideiit of tlie Miners' Federation, who annotmoed last night that he would not recontest the presidency, has heen stispehde'd from all positions in the Communist Party including his seat on the central coxnmittee. Mr. Wells fell fottl of the party because he failed to keep hixnself financial in the Miners' Federation and because, • despite a determined Communist attempt which resuited in his renomination being approved, he decided not to stand again. He was called before the political committee of the Communist Party and notified of the suspension. This operates until the next meeting oi the central committee in March where the position will be reviewed as the central committee is the only body which has the power of restoration or of complete expulsion. The leadership of tlie Miners' Federation is regarded as one of the vital key positions held by the party. During the industriai upheaval of 1945 Mr. Wells was regarded ns one of the "Big Three" Communist Ieaders. / An earlier message stated that Mr. Wells would not nominate for the position and would sever his connection with the Miners' Federation. He made his decision after a narrow majority granted him the right to stand foilowing the original ruling that due .to failure to pay his dues his first nomination was not acceptable. The officials were surpxised at the decision because of the vigorous campaign conducted by Communist supporters on his behalf, but suggest that the narrowness of the win on the nomination question indicated that he would lose the presidential vote.